Stage Review The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
- debra Hall
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 20
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Written and Adapted for stage by Simon Stephens
Directed by Katy Maclaughlin
Kicking off with the first reviewing assignment of 2026 and reviewer enjoyed this fab little community theatre group and their production of ‘The Curious Incident […] : KTCo (Kristian Thomas Collective), who deliver two or three productions in and around Derby/Nottingham every year.
In this production autistic protagonist, Christopher Boone is swapped for ‘Christina’ played by Daisy from the company, whose performance in the lead role is so good, therefore, resorting to writing an overused term when one is impressed by young talent, young Daisy is, however, ‘one to watch’.
Overview
Christina’s unique sensory perceptions enable her to be brilliant at maths; undergoing A- level study of the subject at fifteen and with a set date in the diary for examination. Though her mind is autistic and she struggles with any kind of social interaction, her memory recall is almost photographic. While trying to process the shock of finding the dead dog and the response of others to that event, it all turns out to be triggering and traumatic for her. Nonetheless, Christina is on course to solve a mystery but the ability to call on repetitive thoughts and actions which help to calm herself is suddenly overtaken by voices in her head and the noise and demands of people about happenings she can make no sense of. When Christina loses her safe place, she takes a short train journey on her own which turns out to be a massive undertaking in itself.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time demands care, curiosity, and sensitivity […] Katy Maclaughlin (Director)
Comment
Firstly, the story, a hugely popular novel for young millennials particularly when it first hit the bookshops in 2003, twinned with the success of high profile stage productions that have embodied the spirit of what could be described as a breakthrough body of work in terms of the subject matter it explores. Subsequently, directors have crossed boundaries and approached the sensitive subject with informed understanding in creative stage productions like this one.
Visual effects and the action of the cast members are utilised creatively and effectively to reveal Christina’s world. Handwritten maths formulas in black and white are projected onto the back screen, which move and zoom in and out, while Christina is working out equations and repeating number patterns and conclusions out loud. Light boxes are constantly being repositioned and stacked as part of the action and have changing significance and meaning, so the movement and positioning of the ensemble players within scenes is carefully thought out, sometimes they verbalise as Christina at times, some are key characters while others provide the laughs and supply the props.
This is truly collective story telling done well. Congratulations on achieving two Sold Out performances in Derby.
ENDS
Stage Review The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended the performance within the Studio of Derby Theatre on Sunday 18 January at 7.00pm
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