Last night we were invited* to the press night of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Woking Theatre in Surrey. It’s the stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, which I’d read many years ago when it was published in 2003.
Having enjoyed the book, I was curious to see how it would translate to the stage. What followed was a moving production that combined mystery, a family drama and a insightful exploration of neurodivergence.
Read on for our Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Review.
*I received tickets for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Woking Theatre, Surrey in return for this review. All opinions are my own.
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Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Review: Woking Theatre
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time is showing at Woking Theatre from Tuesday 22nd September to Saturday 26th September 2026
The performance starts at 7.30pm and the running time is 2h 25m, including an interval.
The story
The story centres on 15-year-old Chris Boone, an autistic girl who sees and experiences the world differently from those around her. Chris loves maths and often escapes into a private world of prime numbers, equations, and logic when life becomes overwhelming.
The play begins with Chris discovering Wellington, the neighbour’s dog, dead with a garden fork sticking out of him. Determined to uncover the truth about his demise, she takes on the role of detective to find the culprit. In this new role, Chris starts interviewing her neighbours, even though this means really stepping outside her comfort zone.
What started as a simple whodunnit soon develops into something much deeper, as Chris uncovers family secrets and discovers that all is not as she’d believed.
Seeing the world through Chris’ eyes
The play allows the audience to see the world through Chris’ eyes and the challenges she faces as a neurodiverse young person. The performance captures many of the traits, mannerisms and self-soothing behaviours associated with autism in a way that feels authentic and respectful.
The journey to London
We see how overwhelming unfamiliar situations can become, especially in the second half when she embarks on her first solo train journey to London. The production brilliantly conveys her anxiety and sensory overload as she takes on this new life challenge.
Click to find out more about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and book tickets on the Woking Theatre website.
Our Review
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a fantastic watch that held my attention from beginning to end. Although the mystery around Wellington’s death provides the main framework of the story, the play is also about family relationships, trust, and the challenges of neurodiversity.
The acting was superb throughout. Alex Keenan delivers a fantastic performance as Chris Boone. Charlie Brookes and Joe Mc Fadden are equally convincing as her parents, and Bridgette Amofaah commands our attention as Chris’ teacher and guide, whilst also contributing to the ensemble.
The staging was imaginative and interesting with slick choreography and seamless scene transitions. There were some impressive acrobatic sequences which added to the pace.
As always, Woking Theatre is a brilliant venue, easy to reach, comfortable, and a great size. What an amazing night out.
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