Thursday, February 13

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Dealing with the issue of mental health on stage in an acceptable and accessible way has proved a challenge for creatives in the theatre. The huge success of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ (in Manchester later this month) as well as ‘Be More Chill’ and ‘Next to Normal’ in the West End and on Broadway, have proved that sensitive handling of the topic and box office popularity are not mutually exclusive. One of the first shows to tread this path was the National Theatre adaptation of Mark Haddon’s 2003 bestselling mystery novel, and this production from Altrincham Garrick Playhouse demonstrates their continuing ability to stage challenging theatre of the highest standard whilst maintaining commercial success.

Christopher (Charlie Gallagher) is 15 years, 3 months and two days old and the world is a strange and confusing place, people speak in metaphors and their constant  inexactitude is a frustration to him. Christopher in neurodiverse in an neurotypical world, his condition causes frustration and misunderstanding to his father and mother,  Ed (Loui Quelcutti) and Judy (Rachel Jacquest), placing their relationship under stress and leading to the ‘Curious Incident’ which forms the title. Christopher sets out ‘a la’ Sherlock Holmes (a deliberate nod) to investigate the incident, leading him on a series of adventures as he discovers the truth and learns to defy the limitations and expectations both he and society have placed on him.

Director Joseph Meighan has assembled a formidable team to bring the world of Christopher to the Garrick stage, with set, sound and musical composition at the heart of this success. Set Designer Barbara Biddulph utilises a blue grid on white backdrop to demonstrate the simplicity of the world as Christopher sees it, projected scenes from the world outside playing onto it. This device illustrates his confusion as he tries to make the chaotic jumble of reality fit into his unequivocal narrative, with blue/red lighting flashing to demonstrate the mental anguish he feels at the touch of another person and creating a real sense of being inside his head. The set is supplemented by a superb Sound Design and original composition from Mark Goggins, the harsh electronica giving an almost dystopian edge to Christopher’s engagement with the world, an ever present senses of danger heightened by the score.

Meighan continues to develop his directorial craft, taking all these excellent parts to create a convincing whole, the movement and choreography, originally designed by Frantic Assembly, is expertly utilised, with the scene when Christopher travels on the London Underground being particularly well executed in its rhythmic repetition. Similarly, the decision to allow Siobhan (Lauren Brown) to stand above the action as Narrator, whilst moving onto stage when Christopher converses with her, aids understanding of the various voices the character employs throughout the piece.

The Garrick Ensemble continue to attract talented young actors from across Manchester and Cheshire with the supporting cast of six playing thirty five different parts during the evening. Particularly noteworthy was Sasha Carillo as Mrs Alexander and a comedic Mrs Gascoyne (Megan Preece) adding to the excellent supporting work of Quelcutti and Jacquest in the parental roles.

However, the undoubted shining light was the performance of Charlie Gallagher in the leading role. Onstage throughout, he built the character of Christopher from the inside out, showing his thought processes with a twitchy physicality; the constant drumming finger, the licking of lips, the nervously picking an eyebrows, all demonstrating the anguish the external world imposes on him. These small details allow the larger explosions of anger and pain to grow organically from the stimulus around him, which when allied to a staccato delivery of his unique world view, make for a compelling performance full of pathos and genuine humour.

Despite its apparently serious subject matter, ‘Curious Incident’ is a wonderfully positive and life affirming play that has been adapted beautifully by a strong cast, crew and creative team and topped with an excellent central performance. This is amateur theatre at its very best.

Reviewer: Paul Wilcox

Reviewed: 3rd February 2025

North West End UK Rating:

Rating: 5 out of 5.
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