Friday, February 3, 2017

Curious Incident - A Play


Back on January 15th, I was fortunate to see this play at the Winspear in Dallas. It's the touring production of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.  If it comes to your town and you want to see something different and challenging I recommend it. I think I liked it a bit better than my friend, Linda, but we agreed it was quite impressive.

I read the book a long time ago, and remembering bits I wondered how they could bring this to the stage.  Well, it's quite innovative.  Christopher is a high functioning autistic young man. The story opens with him at the side of a neighbor's dog that's been killed. He's quite upset and vows to find the murderer. Neighbors and his folks tell him to leave it to the cops. But he's quite obsessive and works his way through the mystery and also some life challenges.

He has trouble communicating with people. The stage was quite spare. When he was upset there would be flashing lights and visual numbers scrolling on the back of the stage screen. Christopher is excellent at math and that's where his brain goes.

Each layer of the story brings him more info about his life with his father, why his mother left him, and other neighborhood secrets.  The play is a teensy bit long but the acting was phenomenal. It's been quite a while since I've seen a drama live.  And I vow to try to see more.

Fun Sunday matinee show.  It's good to get out and support your live theaters. Treat yourself - you'll be surprised with the talent.

24 comments:

  1. This sounds a wonderful experience to see Joanne, Theatres don't get the praise they deserve. I love going to the theatre, mainly to a concert but the atmosphere is just magic.
    Enjoy your week-end.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Even long, good acting can sure make up for it. Sounds like a fine outing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounded like an interesting story line. Last live performance I saw was Children's Theater production a few years back. Very nicely done for "ones so young."

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds terrific. I like just about any kind of play, but Smarticus isn't too keen on dramas, so we probably won't see this one. (Hey, I'm happy to get him to comedies!)

    Have a super weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks. My friend and I go to more musicals, but sometimes it's good to shake things up

      Delete
  5. I haven't been to a play in over 20 years. Last one was 'Lost in Yonkers' in San Francisco in the early 90s!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hey - never too late to venture back out. You could be surprised

      Delete
  6. Sounds as though this was written and performed with sensitivity. I respect that, and I'm glad you enjoyed the show.
    Have a great weekend, Joanne.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Joanne - the book was excellent and I'd have loved to have seen the play ... sometime perhaps, but am glad you went and enjoyed the play ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks. It could get back on the London stage sometime soon.

      Delete
  8. Whenever I see a play, I always tell myself I should go more often... then I don't. I love the theatre, though, and really need to take my budding actor son more often.

    I think this played came to my local theatre, but I found out too late.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it's circulating through the states. Maybe it will come back around to you. And yes, take your son

      Delete
  9. I enjoyed the book and the play has been running in London for some time. The title is a reference to a quote by Sherlock Holmes. What was curious is that the dog did not bark. (That's NOT a spoiler!)
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for the added insight - interesting and indeed...no bark

      Delete
  10. Your post recalled the happiest memories of watching plays - a long time ago. Any thing live is a different planet altogether. Remember reading the original Sherlock Holmes story way back too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So many talented folks. I just love the united experience.

      Delete
  11. Yes I loved the book and sometimes that's why I'm not keen to see a film or a play of it later but you obviously found this one did justice to the book. I'm toying with going to see Joe Orton's "What the Butler Saw" at my local theatre next month so I think you may have made up my mind and I'll be going! Take care - Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great. You will have to post your reaction. Enjoy!

      Delete
  12. I'm not familiar with this, but it sounds intriguing and moving. Thanks for the view.

    ReplyDelete