The National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time opened at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre last night, and brought the entire auditorium to its feet receiving a roaring standing ovation.
The production showing in Liverpool until Saturday 25 July as part of a nationwide tour of UK and Ireland, saw a host of celebrity guests at the opening which included Hollyoaks stars Jessica Fox (Nancy Osborne), Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen) and Cameron Moore (Cameron Campbell). Liverpool gymnast Beth Tweddle, presenter Nikki Dean, Britain’s Got Talent’s Becky O’Brien and actorKris Mochrie were also in attendance.
The entire cast of Curious Incident were thrilled with the audience reaction and are looking forward to seeing the sights in Liverpool during their week in the City. Joshua Jenkins, who plays Christopher, and is a huge fan of the Beatles has already been in a Magical Mystery tour of Liverpool with fellow company members.
Lucas Hare, who writes a blog called The Blog in the Night-Time about the Curious Incident tour has just completed an entry about their first night in Liverpool. The blog includes an interview with Joshua Jenkins as his character Christopher Boone talking about his impressions of Liverpool. http://thebloginthenighttime.blogspot.co.uk/
Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, which received seven Olivier Awards in 2013, including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design, opened to rave reviews which all praise the spectacular performances from the cast including Joshua Jenkins who plays the central role of Christopher.
The New York production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has also been nominated for six prestigious Tony Awards, including Best New Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Scenic Design of a Play.
The show tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone. He stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog, which has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.
The central role of Christopher is played by Joshua Jenkins with Geraldine Alexander as his teacher Siobhan, Roberta Kerr as Mrs Alexander, Stuart Laing as his father Ed, Gina Isaacs as Judy, and Clare Perkins as Mrs Shears.
The cast is completed by Chris Ashby (alternate Christopher), Emmanuella Cole (Punk Girl), Edward Grace (Mr Thompson), Lucas Hare (Roger Shears), John McAndrew (Reverend Peters) with Kieran Garland, Ann Marcuson, Paul Sockett and Jessica Williams in the ensemble.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is directed by Marianne Elliott, who co-directed the National Theatre’s record-breaking production of War Horse. The production is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Paule Constable, video design byFinn Ross, movement by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is open now at Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday 25 July.