Relaxed Performance Of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Announced

A Relaxed Performance of the National Theatre's multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will take place at the Piccadilly Theatre on Saturday 6 April at 2.30 pm, to coincide with World Autism Awareness Week.

Relaxed performances are specifically designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including people on the autism spectrum, or with sensory and communication difficulties, or a learning disability. At this performance there will be a relaxed attitude to noise and movement in the auditorium and some small changes made to the light and sound effects. These performances have previously been described as 'the opposite of the quiet carriage on the train.'

It follows the success of previous National Theatre Relaxed performances for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TIme including in the Cottesloe at the National Theatre (2012), on Broadway (2014), in the West End (2016) and on tour in Salford (2014), Southampton (2015), Birmingham (2017), Melbourne (2018) and Singapore (2018).

Lighting and special effects will be adapted for the performance, such as removing strobes and flashing lights and reducing very loud noises; and audience movement and interaction will be welcome. Parts of the Piccadilly Theatre foyer will be available as a quiet space to relax for those who need to leave and re-enter the auditorium during the show. After the performance, the audience will be welcome to stay for a 'Question and Answer' session with the actors who will be in costume but out of character. There will be trained and welcoming staff around the theatre for the duration of the performance.

A visual story and supporting video will be available to download from the website from early March: curiousonstage.com. These materials were created in consultation with the Youth Patrons from the charity Ambitious About Autism.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, based on Mark Haddon's award-winning novel, has been adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne, is the winner of seven Olivier Awards in 2013, including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.

The show tells the story of Christopher John Francis Boone, who is fifteen years old. He stands besides 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 killed 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.

Sam Newton (Alternate Christopher) plays Christopher Boone, the fifteen-year old maths genius with behavioural problems. The cast is completed by Julie Hale, as his teacher, Siobhan, Emma Beatie (Judy), Lynette Clarke (Ensemble), Eliza Collings (Ensemble), Kieran Garland (Understudy), Emma-Jane Goodwin (Understudy), Lucas Hare (Ensemble), Joshua Jenkins (Christopher) Gemma Knight Jones (Ensemble), Stuart Laing (Ed), Sean McKenzie (Ensemble), Joe Rising (Understudy), Craig Stein (Ensemble) and Rose Riley (Understudy).

The production is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting designer Paule Constable, and video design by Finn Ross. Movement is by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph. The associate director is Katy Rudd.

It is produced by the National Theatre, Ambassador Theatre Group, Gavin Kalin Productions and Glass Half Full Productions.

Suitable for ages 11 years +

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