Joshua Jenkins as Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time showing at QPAC.
When 15-year-old Christopher Boone finds his next-door neighbour’s dog impaled by a pitchfork, he’s distraught and resolves to find the culprit. A policeman asks if Christopher has murdered the unfortunate canine. Socially awkward, Christopher doesn’t relate well to strangers and doesn’t like being touched. Instead of hugs; his parents hold up one hand and their son places his hand on theirs. When the Bobby touches him, he subjects the law enforcement officer to a slapping frenzy and ends up in the police station.
Christopher played by Joshua Jenkins on this opening night, is ‘special’ because he has Autism Spectrum Disorder. He thinks differently from most, hates loud noise, conflict. Uber logical, he interprets information literally and rates truth higher than human emotion. When challenged by situations, for instance volatile parental conflict, the boy retreats into his inner sanctuary of mathematics, logic and puzzles.
Based on Mark Haddon’s bestseller and directed by Marianne Elliott, who masterminded ‘War Horse,’ this snazzy, original play production-wise brims with brilliant touches. The plot unfolds through a mix of story-telling, electronic effects and dazzling visuals. The actors are versatile and assume multiple roles, deliver impeccably rehearsed moves and symbolise actions that cannot otherwise be represented within the stark stage design. The graphed and gridded backcloth, wired for stunning electronic effects, is super versatile and contributes a wealth of scene changes. The London Underground system crammed with people, ear-splitting noise and roaring trains is superbly evoked. Overwhelming as the train system can be for ordinary folk, it takes on nightmare proportions for someone of Christopher’s acutely sensitive persuasion.
The people in Christopher’s life that includes a bumbling Reverend Peters, (Bruce McGregor) Mum, (Judy Beattie) Mum’s lover Roger Shears (Oliver Boot) and Ed (Stuart Laing) Christopher’s weary, flawed Dad, come across as well-meaning if insensitive and patronising around the Aspergers, to use old terminology, afflicted lead. Siobhan, a teacher, convincingly characterised by (Julie Hale) is Christopher’s most understanding supporter.
Despite many positives, the first act lacked conviction. At times, the actors’ projection wasn’t clear and some performances underwhelmed. These problems could have been due to the cast adjusting to the size and scale of the generous seating capacity of the Concert Hall. It was unfortunate that the ear-shredding volume of musical interludes highlighted the actors’ restraint. Theatrical tools were technically superb and yet over-stylised at the expense of the unfolding dramatic arc that presented as clinical, rather frosty.
However, in the second act the acting sharpened, the plot zipped into life. The use of electronica, music, vivid lighting displays and a plot orbiting themes of teaching, learning and the need to accept and nurture neural diversity is bound to engage students in high school. More mystery and curiosity within the plot would have been advantageous, but, it’s worth a look, because of Elliott’s startling production devices and Jenkins’ supercharged, sympathetic characterisation which exposes the frequent divide between ordinary folk and the gifted Aspergers students.
Rating: 3 ½ stars ★★★☆
The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time
Presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions
QPAC
Running until 24 June 2018
