I went into The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Theatre Royal expecting a clever mystery, but I wasn’t quite prepared for just how inventive, funny and emotional this production turns out to be. Within minutes, I’m completely drawn into Chris Boone’s world and I’m firmly in her corner.
Based on Mark Haddon’s much-loved novel, the story follows Chris, a teenager with an exceptional talent for numbers who decides to investigate the death of her neighbour’s dog. What starts as a straightforward whodunnit quickly becomes much more complicated, taking Chris on a journey that pushes her far beyond the familiar routines and rules she relies on.
Alex Keenan is fantastic as Chris. This is her professional debut, which makes the performance even more impressive. Chris is on stage for much of the play and there’s a huge amount for Keenan to tackle, but she handles it with confidence and real personality. I find myself completely fascinated by the way she approaches the world, from her love of numbers to the moments when everything around her becomes too much.
One of my favourite things about this production is the way the audience gets to experience the world from Chris’s perspective. The staging is incredibly clever without feeling like it’s showing off. Screens, projections, falling letters and even balls flying across the stage are used to represent Chris’s thoughts and emotions. At times, there’s so much happening that I feel almost as overwhelmed as Chris does, which makes the experience much more powerful.
The puppetry is another lovely touch, with the dog and rat brought to life in a wonderfully simple way. There’s also a great deal of movement and physical theatre, keeping the production visually interesting.
There’s an extra draw for many theatre fans with Joe McFadden (Holby City, Strictly Come Dancing) and Charlie Brooks (EastEnders, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) joining the cast as Chris’s parents, Ed and Judy.
Both bring real depth to their roles. McFadden gives Ed a mixture of affection, frustration and vulnerability, while Brooks brings plenty of emotion to Judy. Their characters have a complicated relationship with Chris, and I like that neither parent is presented as simply good or bad. Their performances make the family story feel very real and give the more emotional scenes some real weight.
Bridgette Amofah is also excellent as Siobhan, Chris’s teacher and the narrator. She brings warmth and humour to the role while helping the audience understand Chris’s way of thinking.
What I really enjoy is that the mystery becomes just one part of the story. I start off wanting to know who killed the dog, but before long I’m much more interested in Chris herself and where her investigation is taking her. It becomes a story about independence, family, trust and finding the confidence to tackle things that feel completely outside your comfort zone.
There are some genuinely funny moments too, particularly when Chris’s wonderfully literal approach to language clashes with the confusing things people say and do. These moments stop the story from becoming too heavy and give the audience a chance to laugh along the way.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is clever, funny, touching and packed with theatrical surprises. I leave feeling entertained, slightly emotional and very glad I’ve seen it. If you fancy a night at the theatre that offers something a little different, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a look.
Brighton Journal rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Practical Information
Venue: Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton BN1 1SD
Dates: 29th September – 3rd October 2026
Tickets: theatreroyalbrighton.co.uk
Note: Tickets were provided in exchange for this review.
