the curious incident of the dog in the night-time
I had a wonderful evening last night at The Birmingham Rep watching a performance of the new production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. The entire cast delivered a moving and memorable performance. Their energy and versatility blew me away. Ned Bennett’s phenomenal staging of the play with moving scenery based on simple shapes that are repurposed, along with projections and cascading props helped to create a truly embodied portrayal of the main character’s experiences. I worked with the team on an authentic presentation of a neurodivergent character, and the script changes and delivery are testament to Ned’s commitment to getting it right. If you have seen the original version, you need to see this. It is a different experience altogether and adds breadth to the way in which neurodivergence has been presented on stage. The play is also brought up-to-date, and being set in 2026 has addressed some of the outmoded ideas about neurodivergence.
I have to give a big shout out to Alex Keenan whose portrayal of Chris Boone was stunningly emotive. Using her lived experience as an openly neurodivergent actor, Alex brought the audience along with her so that we not only engaged with the character of Chris, but inhabited her world. The delivery was a brilliant mix of humour and devastation, of intelligence, passion, distress and withdrawal. This is a rounded neurodivergent character and as such helps to change hearts and mindsets. Audience reaction was hugely positive, with standing ovations at the end. Conversations about differences in brains and presentations were had and early reviews show that the critics got it. I am so privileged to have been involved in this project. Thank you Ned for having the courage to move the production on and to give audiences a new experience of neurodivergent representation.
See the link below to get your tickets at a venue near you.
CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is back! This time the stage show has an autistic female main character. If you saw it first time round then be prepared for changes and a whole new way of seeing and feeling the lived experiences of an autistic person.
Ned Bennett, the director worked fastidiously to make sure that, along with an openly neurodivergent actor, the script and dramatization reflected a wider representation of autistic lived experiences. I was privileged to be asked to be a consultant for the production. Opening at Birmingham Rep, the show is then heading off for a major UK tour. Catch it somewhere near you.
Read the interview with Alex Keenan, the actor playing a female version of the autistic protagonist. here.
