‘The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time’ opens with the death of the neighbour’s dog, Wellington. Chris Boone is a detective on a mission to discover who killed the dog with a gardening fork. Dramatic from the outset, Chris does not expect the answer she uncovers to this mysterious death.

Aged 15, Chris has Asperger’s and loves animals but doesn’t like people touching her. She has clear boundaries: she does not go into anyone else’s house and she doesn’t break promises… unless absolutely necessary. She has a pet rat and loves her computer.

However, this play, ‘The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-time’ is not simply about who killed Wellington. It’s also about a family: two parents striving to give their neurodiverse daughter the best possible life. Chris is very bright and she’s in a Special School. Her father insists to the Head Teacher that she is taking Maths A-Level and he wins. In a coming-of-age story, Chris is betrayed by both her parents during the course of the play as she develops into adulthood.

Alex Keenan, a Scot, acts as Chris in her debut tour from the Birmingham Rep. Credits include A View from a Bridge, Richard II and Chekhov’s The Seagull.

Her father Ed (Joe McFadden) is always by his daughter’s side in the first half of ‘A Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time:’ he’s her rock and her protector. When the trust that is the foundation of their relationship is broken, father and daughter need to rebuild and this is done with humour and insight. Joe McFadden, also a Scot, is best known for Holby City and Casualty.

Judy (Charlie Brooks) is a more enigmatic figure and we see just enough of her to sense her love and her helplessness in the face of a neurodivergent teenager. Charlie Brooks has starred in EastEnders, Casualty, Bleak House and Robin Hood on TV.

Under Ned Bennett’s masterful direction, ‘A Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time’ is a sensory experience incorporating a lot of dance and impressive choreography including a soothing pastel coloured, minimalist set.

As Chris arrives at Paddington Station, the sensory overload that one might experience with Asperger’s reaches its climax and she turns to her pet rat for comfort. She’s travelling alone for the first time on a mainline train and on the Underground from Swindon to Willesden.

Adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens, ‘A Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time’ is based on Mark Haddon’s book published in 2003. The novel has become a modern classic and a GCSE set text. It has won 17 awards.

‘A Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-time’ is a life-affirming, comic and poignant story about growing up and seeing the world differently. It’s a must-see show with great humanity touring at Brighton’s charming and historic Theatre Royal until Saturday 03 October 2026.

Photo Credits Johan Persson and Natasha Merchant