The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Liverpool Empire

Posted on 27 July 2017
By Chris High
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Adapted from the uber best-selling novel written by Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time which is currently running at The Liverpool Empire Theatre is nothing short of being genuinely insightful, razor sharp and, ultimately, as uplifting as it is inspirational.

Christopher is an intelligent boy who lives in the functional hinterland of autism–every day is an investigation as a result of all the aspects of human life that he doesn’t quite get. When the dog next door is killed with a garden fork, Christopher becomes quietly persistent in his desire to find out what has happened and tugs away at the world around him until a lot of secrets unravel.

What’s extraordinary about this production is just how close to the book the stage play is. Its warmth and wit shine as strong here as it does in prose, with Christopher’s natural inquisitiveness being given a fresh dimension by the superb Scott Reid. The energy in which this fine young actor injects is quite astonishing, particularly during his first ever train ride.

As Christopher’s hurt and frustrated father, Ed, David Michaels brings all of his character’s angst to the fore, whilst also managing to garner no small amount of sympathy for his situation. Other standouts are the parts of Siobhan, Christopher’s teacher and Judy, Christopher’s mum, Judy, played by Lucianne McEvoy and Emma Beattie.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a visual feast; an experience that is not only beautifully choreographed but also delivered so magnificently it becomes all engaging immersion into the world of autism and those it affects through the efforts of the superb cast as a collective.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Liverpool Empire Theatre
July 25 – July 29, 2017
Author: Mark Haddon Adapted by Simon Stephens
Producer: National Theatre
Director: Marianne Elliot
Designer: Bunny Christie
Cast Includes: Scot Reid, David Michaels, Emma Beattie, Eliza Collings, Lucianne McEvoy
Running Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
PR RATING: **** Brilliant

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