Production Information

Among the complex constructs and mysteries of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the themes that emerge most vividly to me are connections (and the lack there of) ‒ emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually; disorder ‒ no matter how much one intends to be precise or definitive, it is an illusion as people, questions, relationships are messy; and acceptance‒ of others, ourselves, and conditions of life. Mark Haddon, author of the book of the same title, wrote about his story: “It's about how little separates us from those we turn away from in the street. It's about how badly we communicate with one another. It's about accepting that every life is narrow and that our only escape from this is not to run away (to another country, another relationship, a slimmer, more confident self) but to learn to love the people we are and the world in which we find ourselves.” These tensions of trying to make connections (touching, communication), solving equations (mysteries of a murdered dog, family), and reconciliation (Christopher and his parents) propel this story and elevate the drama to revelatory. 

The play incorporates the construct of the book – the narrative Christopher writes about his experiences – and blends it with theatrical convention – depiction on stage. Simon Stephens has merged these two approaches brilliantly. I see two unifying parts as the concept for the production: Christopher’s perspective and mathematics. The play moves seamlessly between Christopher’s inner and exterior worlds, and what joins them is his perspective. How he sees the world as a young man on the autism spectrum. Throughout the production, the images, props, and video will be shaped by his viewpoint. The other part is Mathematics which gives Christopher a laser focus; it motivates and calms him. Mathematics gives nature and imagination structure. It is two dimensional and three dimensional. It represents form, quantity, and change. Mathematicians seek and use patterns to formulate new conjectures; they resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proof. Christopher’s investigation is a form of mathematical proof. The revelation of his mother’s existence turns into a proof for the truth of his father’s invention and their relationship. And we experience this investigation through Christopher’s lens and eyes.