A triumph of storytelling, teamwork and talent.
Writes Alan Richardson, Teacher of English
The world can be tricky to navigate, especially if you are a neurodivergent 15-year-old and on a quest to find out who killed your neighbour’s dog. Christopher Boone is the protagonist and narrator of Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel, which has been adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens, and which won both Tony and Olivier Awards for best play. It is a vocally, physically, intellectually, and visually demanding work, and yet again Taylors’ Drama Department have risen to the challenge.
The first acknowledgement must go to Savio Gimmi who has inspired his technical team – Lu’ay B. (U6th), Thomas B. (U6th), Anay G. (Divs), Krishen P. (Divs), Yuvan N. (Divs), Vihaan G. (Divs) – to even greater heights, tackling surely the most complex show staged at the Drama Studio. Lighting and projections dazzle, capturing Christopher’s journey of discovery, evoking his struggles and anxieties as he encounters all manner of oddballs and eccentrics while he detects his way to success. Their seamless lighting shifts, precise cueing, and inventive scene transitions would challenge even professional companies, yet this team executed it with confidence and creativity.
Monty H. (5ths) gave us a delightfully puzzled Reverend Peters, nonplussed by Christopher’s cosmic questions, while Chase C’s (L6th) unhinged Mrs Alexander provided much-needed comic relief in a tense drama. Countering this, Owen S’s (U6th) layered, memorable Roger seethed with sinister energy, which highlighted Christopher vulnerability and exposure in a dizzying, dangerous world. Emily B’s also shone as the hard-pressed teacher, Mrs Gascoyne, based on no one we know, while Harlene K. offered a wonderfully grounded Mrs Shears.
Protecting Christopher is no easy task: one felt for David A. (U6th), Christopher’s father, torn between frustration and deep parental love, making sometimes terrible decisions for understandable reasons, and neither the book nor the play shy away from the challenges of managing Christopher. Indeed, Sadie M, as Christopher’s mum, doesn’t manage; she walks away – Sadie’s grounded, poignant performance offers a sympathetic portrayal of a woman who is deeply conflicted.
Protecting Christopher also came in the form of policemen of various competencies: Rien D. (L6th), Pranay P. (L6th), Charlie B. (L6th), and Prem P. (5ths), all of whom brought a mixture of authority and humour to the play’s more chaotic scenes. We will not sleep any easier at night knowing they are out there, watching over us.
Perhaps the character who gets closest to Christopher, George T. (U6th) as Siobhan, guiding both him and the audience, was an assured, warm and engaging presence throughout the evening. His calm, limpid narration drew the various narrative stands together with wit and insight.
The ensemble, featuring Anya M, Ryan K. (5ths), Parth D. (Divs), Dylan M. (Divs) and Zayaan K. (Divs) ably created the disorientating environments with which Christopher must contend, from Willesden Junction to the outer reaches of the galaxy, they each added texture and momentum to Christopher’s journey. Smaller cameo roles were handled with flair and commitment: Chaitya J’s (L6th) sharply comedic Uncle Terry, Jai M’s (L6th) assured Man Behind Counter, Krish P’s (Divs) suspicious, jaded Mr Thomson, Markus F’s (Divs) unconventional information clerk – “Choooob!” – and strong turns from Mahir S. (Divs) and Leo B. (Divs) as the Drunks, also modelled on no one we know.
Christopher himself, played alternately and affectingly by George R. (5ths) and Leo B. (L6th), both of whom delivered beautifully nuanced performances.
Their portrayals captured Christopher’s brittleness and brilliance, defencelessness and determination, with maturity far beyond their years.
Whether navigating the emotional chaos of Swindon or the sensory overload of London, each actor brought intensity and authenticity that anchored the show.
Cheryl Clarke’s production was a triumph of storytelling, teamwork, and talent. Every member of the cast and crew contributed passion, dedication, and imagination. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a play that demands emotional sensitivity, physical precision, and technical ambition, qualities that this production delivered in abundance.
