THEATRE
Adapted by Simon Stephens from novel by Mark Haddon
By National
Theatre of Great Britain
Presented by Melbourne
Theatre Company & Arts Centre Melbourne
At
Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, until Feb 25, 2018
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars:****
Review also published in Herald Su in print (Tues Jan 16, 2018) & Probably later online. KH
 |
| Joshua Jenkins (Christopher Boone), Amanda Posener, Matt Wilman, Oliver Boot. Photo by BrinkhoffMögenburg |
Marianne Elliott’s imaginative, deft and seamless production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in
the Night-Time, with its complex
theatrical technology, transforms Simon Stephens’ script into a startling,
whimsical and intermittently alarming stage production.
Christopher Boone (Joshua Jenkins) can’t read people’s faces or empathise,
screams when touched, doesn’t understand metaphor, takes instructions literally,
can’t lie, is a mathematical prodigy, and lives by his own rules.
Although 15-year old Christopher’s behaviour has
indicators of high-functioning autism, he is never labelled as such in The Curious
Incident, Stephens’ multi-award-winning play based on Mark Haddon’s successful novel.
Christopher lives with his beleaguered but patient father, Ed (David
Michaels), but, when Christopher is wrongly suspected of killing their
neighbour’s dog, he embarks on his own Sherlock Holmes-style investigation,
disobeying his father’s explicit instructions.
Elliott’s production is visually compelling and the cunning set design (Bunny Christie)
marries with spectacular video (Finn Ross) and evocative lighting (Paule
Constable) to transform a stark, black, geometric grid into a vivid, other
world that allows us to enter
Christopher’s mind and experience the chaos and cacophony of the contemporary
world from his perspective.
The
abstract staging and deluge of imagery sweep Christopher and the audience into locations
as diverse as a bewildering rail network, a swirling sea of numbers, rowdy, visually over-stimulating London
streets and even into the deep, blue cosmos.
Perhaps because of his abrasiveness and lack of empathy, it is difficult
to engage emotionally with Christopher, but Jenkins gives a playful portrayal
of this whip-smart, self-absorbed teenager who balances eccentricity with
common sense.
Two characters do touch the heart: Ed, played sympathetically and
poignantly by Michaels, and Siobhan, the narrator and Christopher’s teacher / mentor,
played by Julie Hale who brings warmth and clarity to Christopher’s story.
One
of the delights of the production is the versatile ensemble playing a profusion
of roles, shifting character in an instant and transforming into inanimate
objects with abstract movement (Scott
Graham, Steven Hoggett), evocatively bringing
to life Christopher’s environment and the confusing humans that populate it.
This major, visiting production by the National Theatre is a visual feast
that takes the page to the stage by using cutting edge technology and the unembellished
physicality of actors to illuminate Christopher Boone’s unexpected hero’s
journey.
By Kate Herbert
 |
| Joshua Jenkins (Christopher Boone), Emma Beattie (Judy) and company. Photo BrinkhoffMögenburg |
 |
| Joshua Jenkins (Christopher Boone), Matt Wilman (Mr Thompson) and Crystal Condie (Punk Girl) . Photo by BrinkhoffMögenburg |
Cast:
Joshua Jenkins - Christopher (Some shows, Sam Newton)
David Michaels - Ed
Emma Beattie - Judy
Julie Hale - Siobhan
Oliver Boot
Crystal Condie
Bruce McGregor
Debra Michaels
Amanda Posener
Matt Wilman
Director- Marianne Elliott
Designer - Bunny Christie
Lighting Paule Constable
Video - Finn Ross
Movement - Scott Graham
Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly
Original Fight director
- Kate Waters
No comments:
Post a Comment