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Overview
Synopsis
“All actors remain on stage unless prescribed otherwise. There is also a dead dog. With a fork in it. Scenes run into one another without interruption, regardless of alterations in space or time or chronology.” So begin the stage directions for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. When the lights come up, the dead dog is seen onstage. It is immediately assumed that 15-year old Christopher Boone is responsible. He is innocent, however, and decides to investigate. Christopher has a unique mind that is phenomenal at math, but ill-equipped to understand everyday, ordinary life. His investigation (the details of which Christopher records in a book) leads him to discover not just who killed the dog, but secrets within his own family that turn his world upside down. Awarded both the Tony and the Olivier awards for Best Play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time powerfully examines what it truly means to love, and the sacrifices it often takes to do so.
*The play is told from Christopher’s viewpoint, and he is onstage for the entire show. Many of the other characters only appear briefly and have few lines. Christopher is a very literal person and, as he wrote this story, he recorded what he saw, and only that - there is very little interpretation on his part. Therefore, it is up to many of the actors to decide how they want to portray their characters and the lines given them.
Show Information
- Book
- Simon Stephens
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2012
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary
- Time & Place
- swindon, london, present day
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a stage adaptation of a 2003 mystery novel by British author Mark Haddon. The original novel revolves around Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old math prodigy determined to investigate the death of his neighbor’s dog. It is written in first-person from Christopher’s perspective. Christopher has “behavioral difficulties” that are consistent with autism spectrum disorder, but his condition is not named in the novel or play.
The stage version is
to read the context for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Part One
Christopher, a 15-year-old math prodigy, discovers his neighbor’s dog dead with a garden fork sticking out of it. The neighbor, Mrs. Shears, arrives as Christopher’s teacher, Siobhan, narrates by reading Christopher’s writings about the incident. A Policeman arrives and questions Christopher about the dog’s death. Christopher hits the Policeman when he tries to lift him by the arm. He is arrested and taken to the police station. After the Duty Sergeant questions Christopher and
to read the plot for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Mrs. Shears / Voice One / Mrs. Gascoyne / Woman on Train / Woman on Heath |
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Number 44 / Voice Five / Lady in Street / Information / Punk Girl / Ukrainian Two |
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A genre of literature, film, and theatre that focuses on the emotional and/or moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A play that takes place within the world of a play
Videos
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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