Download enrichment guide - Citadel Theatre

ENRICHMENT GUIDE
By Simon Stephens
Adapted from the internationally best-selling novel by Mark Haddon
Directed by Heidi Malazdrewich
Production Design by ShowStages collective
A Co-Production with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
Play Guides sponsored by
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THEATRE ETIQUETTE
3
CAST & CREATIVE
4
SYNOPSIS
5-6
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
7-8
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
9
SCRIPT REFERENCES
10-15
TIMELINE
16
DESIGN
17-18
PRODUCTION ELEMENTS
19
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
20
FURTHER READING/REFERENCES
21
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
22-23
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
THEATRE ETIQUETTE
Going to the theatre is an engaging and interactive experience. We want you to be an active participant when you
see our shows; laugh when it’s funny, cry when it’s sad, gasp when it’s shocking, and enjoy the experience as much
as possible. But we want you to do this in the most respectful way possible, for both the performers and your fellow audience members.
To ensure the most positive experience, please review the following information prior to arriving at the theatre.
The following items are not allowed in the theatre:
•Food and drink (except that sold during intermission and/or permitted by the Citadel Theatre, such as bottled water and ice cream)
•Cameras and other recording devices (please note that taking photographs or other recordings in the theatre is
strictly prohibited by law)
Basic courtesy:
•Turn OFF and put away all electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, video game systems, etc. prior to entering the theatre
•Do not place your feet on the seat in front of you.
•The actors onstage can see and hear the audience during the performance – it is important that audience members
not talk, move around, or fidget during the performance, as this can be distracting for the actors, as well as fellow
audience members.
•There is no dress code at the Citadel Theatre, but we respectfully request that patrons refrain from wearing hats
in the theatre.
•For the safety of those with allergies, please refrain from using perfumes or scented products before coming to
the theatre.
•Please do not place backpacks or other bags in the aisle in front of your feet, as this may impair the ability of persons to exit the row in an emergency.
Inappropriate behavior:
Citadel Theatre representatives watch carefully during performances for inappropriate behavior, especially behavior that could endanger an actor or audience member. Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to:
•Talking in the audience
•The use of laser pointers or other light or sound-emitting devices
•Interfering with an actor or the performance (tripping, throwing items on or near the stage, etc.)
Audience members identified as engaging in this type of behavior will be removed from the theatre during the performance or at intermission.
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
CAST:
TERRI CHERNIACK – Mrs. Alexander
DAVID KEELEY – Ed
BEVERLY NDUKWU – Punk Girl
ROBB PATERSON – Rev Peterson
CHERISSA RICHARDS – Siobhan
JAMIE ROBINSON – Man With Socks
EDMUND STAPLETON – Christopher
JOHN ULLYATT – Roger
STEPHANIE WOLFE – Mrs Gascoyne/Shears
PATRICIA ZENTILLI – Judy
ROSIE – Sandy the dog
Season Sponsor:
Presentation Sponsor:
CREATIVE TEAM:
HEIDI MALAZDREWICH – Director
Production Design by ShowStages collective
T. ERIN GRUBER – Set, Costumes & Lighting Designer
JOEL ADRIA – Projection Designer
ELIJAH LINDENBERGER – Sound Design
CHEYENNE SYKES – Assistant Designer
LINDA GARNEAU – Movement Designer
DAVID LEY – Dialect Coach
MATTHEW SKOPYK – Composer
MICHELLE CHAN – Stage Manager
MICHAEL DUGGAN – Assistant Stage Manager
LORE GREEN – Apprentice Stage Manager
Production Sponsor:
Media Sponsors:
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
SYNOPSIS
ACT ONE:
Christopher finds his neighbour Mrs. Shears’ dog, Wellington, lying dead with a garden fork sticking out of his
side. As the main action continues, Christopher’s teacher, Siobhan, narrates the story by reading from his
notebook.
A policeman arrives and Christopher tells him that he didn’t kill the dog. In his book, Christopher explains that
he doesn’t lie. Christopher starts to groan, and when the policeman tries to help Christopher up, he hits him.
The policeman arrests him. At the police station we find out that Christopher has a father, but his mother has
died. His father, Ed, arrives and explains that Christopher didn’t mean to hurt the policeman. Christopher is
given a caution and released.
In Christopher’s book he explains that his mum died two years ago. He came home from school one day and she
wasn’t there. We see the moment when Ed tells Christopher his mum has died of a heart attack.
Christopher tells Siobhan he is going to make finding Wellington’s killer a project although his father told him
not to. He visits a number of neighbours, including Mrs. Alexander. She hasn’t heard anything about Wellington;
when she goes inside to get some refreshments, Christopher worries Mrs. Alexander will call the police so he
goes away.
Ed talks to Mrs. Gascoyne at Christopher’s school. He wants Christopher to take his Maths A’ Level early and
offers to pay for the extra staff needed. Ed tells Christopher off for ‘poking round’ Mrs. Shears’ garden. He
makes him promise to give up his detective work.
Christopher goes back to see Mrs. Alexander and asks her about Mr. Shears. She explains that Christopher’s
mother had an affair with Mr. Shears: this is why Mr. Shears left. Ed discovers Christopher’s book and reads
about his conversation with Mrs. Alexander. Ed hits Christopher before going off in search of a drink. After he
has calmed down, Ed apologizes to Christopher
When Christopher gets home, he looks all over the house for his book, eventually finding a box with his book
and a number of envelopes with his name and address on. He realizes they are from his mother Judy, who is
now living with Mr. Shears. The next day, while Ed is out, Christopher reads more of the letters from his mother.
Ed finds him with the letters and explains that when Judy left with Mr. Shears, Mrs. Shears was very nice to him
and they became good friends, although then things became difficult and they argued. One day he left after an
argument with Mrs. Shears to find Wellington waiting to attack him, so he killed the dog. Christopher rolls
himself into a ball and recites numbers to calm down. He tells his father he has to leave because it would be
dangerous to stay. He has his mother’s address now.
ACT TWO:
Christopher decides to go and live with his mum in London. He finds his dad’s wallet, takes out a card and
memorizes the PIN. He goes to Swindon and asks a passerby how to get to the train station. Christopher
explains a formula for reaching places if you are lost.
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
SYNOPSIS
At the station, a policeman approaches Christopher and offers to help him. As he tries to board the train,
Christopher is stopped by the policeman, who tells him his father is at the police station, looking for him.
Unable to convince Christopher to get off, the train departs with them both still on board. Christopher wets
himself and the policeman sends him to the toilet. He hides in the luggage rack, counting prime numbers to
calm down. Eventually the train arrives in London.
This station is even more confusing than Swindon. Siobhan’s voice talks him through how find his way, and
Ed’s tells him how to safely board an Underground train. Christopher has lost Toby, his rat. Seeing him on the
train tracks, he climbs onto the line to get him back – to the horror of the other passengers, who help him get
back on the platform, just in time. Finally getting a train, Christopher arrives at Willesden Junction and asks a
shopkeeper how to get to ‘451c Chapter Road, London NW2 5NG.’
Judy arrives home with Roger (Mr. Shears) to find Christopher waiting outside. She comforts her son and takes
him inside. Later, Ed arrives from Swindon and argues with Judy. Ed is allowed to see his son and tries
desperately to apologize, but the policeman returns and escorts Ed from the house. Judy and Roger argue
over how long Christopher can stay, but Christopher announces that he needs to go back to Swindon to sit his
Maths A’ Level. Judy later tells him that she has postponed his exam, which sends him into a panic.
Roger is drunk and grabs at Christopher Judy pulls him and away and promises her son it will never happen
again. They take the car and drive back to Swindon.
At Christopher’s school, Siobhan says that the A’ Level papers are still there and they are arranging for
Reverend Peters to invigilate the exam. Christopher is very tired but wants to do the exam. When he attempts
the paper, though, he goes into a panic and can’t read the words. He counts cardinal numbers to calm down
and is soon able to answer a question – Siobhan suggests that he could explain it to the audience after the
play has finished.
Ed begs Christopher for five minutes of his time, he can’t cope any more with being shunned by his son. He
asks if they can start a project to spend more time together. He presents his son with a dog. It will stay at Ed’s
house but Christopher can visit at any time. Christopher names him Sandy.
At school, Christopher receives his exam result. He has an A*. He tells Siobhan he’s spending much more time
with his Dad, who has also arranged for him to take a Further Maths A’ Level. Christopher is making plans to
go to university. He knows he can do it because he went to London, solved the mystery of Wellington, found
his mother, was brave and wrote a book.
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Simon Stephens (born 6 February 1971 in
Manchester) is an English playwright. Having taught
on the Young Writers' Programme at the Royal Court
Theatre for many years, he is now an Artistic Associate
at the Lyric Hammersmith. He is the inaugural
Associate Playwright of Steep Theatre Company,
Chicago, where two of his plays, Harper Regan and
Motortown, had their U.S. premieres.[1] His writing is
characterized as part of the in-yer-face generation and
is widely performed not only in the UK but also
throughout Europe, with several of his plays being
premiered abroad. Along with Dennis Kelly, he is one
of the most performed English-language writers in
Germany.
Originally from Stockport, Greater Manchester,
Stephens graduated from the University of York with a degree in History. After university, he lived in Edinburgh for
several years, where he met his future wife Polly, before later completing a PGCE at the Institute of Education. He
worked as a teacher for a few years, before quitting to become a professional playwright.
He lives in London with his wife and three children.
Plays:
Heisenberg (2015) premiered Off-Broadway at the New York City Center-Stage II, directed by Mark Brokaw
Song From Far Away (2015) premiered at the Young Vic, directed by Ivo van Hove
The Cherry Orchard (2014) premiering at the Young Vic, directed by Katie Mitchell
Carmen Disruption (2014) premiering at Deutsches Schauspielhaus, directed by Sebastian Nübling
Blindsided (2014) premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, directed by Sarah Frankcom
Birdland (2014) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Carrie Cracknell
London (2012) incorporating Sea Wall and T5 premiered at Salisbury Playhouse, directed by George Perrin
Morning (2012) premiered at the Traverse Theatre, directed by Sean Holmes
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2012) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Marianne
Elliott, adapted from the Mark Haddon novel of the same name
A Doll's House (2012) premiered at the Young Vic, directed by Carrie Cracknell[
Three Kingdoms (2011) premiered at Theatre NO99 in Tallinn, Estonia, directed by Sebastian Nübling
I Am the Wind (2011) translation of the Jon Fosse play premiered at the Young Vic, directed by Patrice Chéreau
Wastewater (2011) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Katie Mitchell
The Trial of Ubu (2010) premiered at the Toneelgroep in Amsterdam
T5 (2010) premiered at DryWrite at the Roundhouse, directed by Vicky Jones
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ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT cont...
A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky (2010) written with David Eldridge and Robert Holman premiered at the Lyric
Hammersmith, directed by Sean Holmes
Marine Parade (2010) with music by Mark Eitzel premiered at the Brighton Festival directed by Jo McInnes
Punk Rock (2009) premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, directed by Sarah Frankcom
Canopy of Stars (2008) premiered at the Tricycle Theatre as part of the 'Great Game' series
Sea Wall (2008) premiered in the Broken Space Season at Bush Theatre, directed by George Perrin
Pornography (2007) premiered at the Traverse Theatre directed by Sean Holmes
Harper Regan (2007) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Marianne Elliott
Motortown (2006) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Ramin Gray
On the Shore of the Wide World (2005) premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, directed by Sarah Frankcom
Country Music (2004) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Gordon Anderson
Christmas (2004) premiered at the Bush Theatre, directed by Joanne McInnes
One Minute (2003) premiered at the ATC, directed by Gordon Anderson
Port (2002) premiered at the Royal Exchange, directed by Marianne Elliott
Herons (2001) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Simon Usher
Bluebird (1998) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Gordon Anderson
Bring Me Sunshine (1997) premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, directed by Heather Davies
Awards:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time won the
Olivier Award for Best New Play 2013 and the 2015 Tony
Award for Best Play
Punk Rock was nominated at the TMA Awards for Best New
Play in 2010, and was also nominated for the Evening
Standard Award for Best New Play in 2010
Pornography won the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland
for Best New Play in 2008-09
On the Shore of The Wide World won the Olivier Award for
Best New Play in 2006
One Minute won at the Tron Theatre Awards as Best New Play
in 2003
Port won the Pearson Award for Best New Play in 2001
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Stephens
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Haddon (born 26 September 1962) is an English
novelist, best known for The Curious Incident of the Dog in
the Night-Time (2003). He won the Whitbread Award,
Guardian Prize, and a Commonwealth Writers Prize for that
work.
Haddon was born on 26 September 1962 in Northampton,
England. He was educated at Uppingham School and
Merton College, Oxford, where he studied English.
In 1987, Haddon wrote his first children’s book, Gilbert’s
Gobstopper. This was followed by many other children’s
books, which were often self-illustrated.
Haddon is also known for his series of Agent Z books, one of
which, Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars, was made into a
1996 Children's BBC sitcom. He also wrote the screenplay
for the BBC television adaptation of Raymond Briggs's story
Fungus the Bogeyman, screened on BBC1 in 2004. In 2007 he wrote the BBC television drama Coming Down
the Mountain.
In 2003, Haddon won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award—in the Novels rather than Children's Books
category—for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He also won the Commonwealth Writers
Prize in the Best First Book category, as The Curious Incident was considered his first written for adults;[1] yet
he also won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, a once-in-a-lifetime award judged by a panel of children's
writers.[2] The Curious Incident is written from the perspective of a 15-year-old boy with Asperger syndrome.
In an interview at Powells.com, Haddon claimed that this was the first book that he wrote intentionally for an
adult audience; he was surprised when his publisher suggested marketing it to both adult and child audiences
(it has been very successful with adults and children alike). His second adult novel, A Spot of Bother, was
published in September 2006.
His short story, "The Pier Falls", is currently longlisted for the 2015 Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story
Award, the richest prize in the world for a single short story.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Haddon
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
SCRIPT REFERENCES
Although Christopher is never identified as having a specific disorder, his behaviours resemble someone on the
Autism Spectrum or Asperger Syndrome.
Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a neurobiological disorder on the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum.
An individual’s symptoms can range from mild to severe. While sharing many of the same characteristics as
other Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD’s) including Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise
Specified (PDD-NOS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA), AS has been recognized as a distinct medical diagnosis
in Europe for almost 60 years, but has only been included in the U.S. medical diagnostic manual since 1994
(“Asperger Disorder” in the DSM-IV).
Individuals with AS and related disorders exhibit serious deficiencies in social and communication skills. Their
IQ’s are typically in the normal to very superior range. They are usually educated in the mainstream, but most
require special education services. Because of their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed by their peers as
“odd” and are frequently a target for bullying and teasing.
They desire to fit in socially and have friends, but have a great deal of difficulty making effective social
connections. Many of them are at risk for developing mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression, especially
in adolescence. Diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders should be made by a medical expert to rule out other
possible diagnoses and to discuss interventions.
Each person is different. An individual might have all or only some of the described behaviors to have a
diagnosis of AS.
These behaviors include the following:

Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as: eye gaze, facial expression, body
posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction.

Extreme difficulty in developing age-appropriate peer relationships. (e.g. AS children may be more
comfortable with adults than with other children).

Inflexible adherence to routines and perseveration.

Fascination with maps, globes, and routes.

Superior rote memory.

Preoccupation with a particular subject to the exclusion of all others. Amasses many related facts.

Difficulty judging personal space, motor clumsiness.

Sensitivity to the environment, loud noises, clothing and food textures, and odors.

Speech and language skills impaired in the area of semantics, pragmatics, and prosody (volume, intonation,
inflection, and rhythm).

Difficulty understanding others’ feelings.
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
Pedantic, formal style of speaking; often called “little professor,” verbose.

Extreme difficulty reading and/or interpreting social cues.

Socially and emotionally inappropriate responses.

Literal interpretation of language; difficulty comprehending implied meanings.

Extensive vocabulary. Reading commences at an early age (hyperlexia).

Stereotyped or repetitive motor mannerisms.

Difficulty with “give and take” of conversation.
A-Levels
The A Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of
Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and
the educational authorities of British Crown dependencies to students completing secondary or pre-university
education. A number of countries, including Singapore, Kenya, Mauritius and Zimbabwe have developed
qualifications with the same name as and a similar format to the British A Levels. Obtaining A Level or equivalent
qualifications is generally required for university entrance.
A Levels are generally worked towards over two years and split into two parts, with one part studied in each year.
The first part is known as the Advanced Subsidiary Level, A1 Level or AS Level (the AS Level acronym was
previously used for the separate Advanced Supplementary Level qualification). The second part is known as the
A2 Level and is more in depth and academically rigorous than the A1 Level. The AS Level is a qualification in its
own right, and the AS Level combined with the A2 Level forms the complete A Level qualification. Up to June 2009
a third Special / Advanced Extension Award level was available for the brightest candidates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Advanced_Level
London
London is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames in
the south eastern part of the island of Great Britain, London has been a major settlement for two millennia. It was
founded by the Romans, who named it Londinium. London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its
medieval boundaries and since at least the 19th century, the term London has also referred to the metropolis
developed around this core. The bulk of this forms Greater London, a region of England governed by the Mayor of
London and the London Assembly.
Swindon
Swindon is a large town in Wiltshire, South West England, midway between Bristol and Reading. London is 71
miles (114 km) to the east. At the 2011 census, it had a population of 185,609.
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The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground, or by its
nickname the Tube) is a public rapid transit system serving London and the home
counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
The world's first underground railway, the Metropolitan Railway, which opened in
1863, is now part of the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines; the
first line to operate underground electric traction trains, the City & South London
Railway in 1890, is now part of the Northern line. The network has expanded to
11 lines, and in 2014-15 carried 1.305 billion passengers, making it the world's
11th busiest metro system.
The system's first tunnels were built just below the surface, using the cut-and-cover method; later, smaller, roughly
circular tunnels – which gave rise to its nickname, the Tube – were dug through at a deeper level. The system has 270
stations and 250 miles (400 km) of track. Despite its name, only 45% of the system is actually underground in tunnels,
with much of the network in the outer environs of London being on the surface.
The early lines, originally owned by several private companies, were brought together under the "Underground"
brand in the early 20th century and eventually merged in 1933 to form the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground
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Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes a fictional private detective created by British
author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Known as a "consulting
detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for a proficiency with
observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that borders
on the fantastic, which he employs when investigating cases for
a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard. First appearing
in print in 1887 (in A Study in Scarlet), the character's popularity
became widespread with the first series of short stories in The
Strand Magazine, beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" in
1891; additional stories appeared from then to 1927, eventually
totaling four novels and 56 short stories. All but one are set in
the Victorian or Edwardian periods, taking place between about
1880 to 1914. Most are narrated by the character of Holmes's
friend and biographer Dr. Watson, who usually accompanies
Holmes during his investigations and often shares quarters with
him at the address of 221B Baker Street, London, where many of
the stories begin.
Though not the first fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes is arguably the most well-known, with Guinness World Records
listing him as the "most portrayed movie character" in history. Holmes's popularity and fame are such that many have
believed him to be not a fictional character but a real individual; numerous literary and fan societies have been founded
that pretend to operate on this principle.
Holmes's primary intellectual detection method is abductive reasoning. Holmesian deduction consists primarily of
observation-based inferences, such as his study of cigar ashes. "From a drop of water", he writes, "a logician could infer
the possibility of an Atlantic or a Niagara without having seen or heard of one or the other". In "A Scandal in Bohemia",
Holmes deduces that Watson had gotten wet lately and had "a most clumsy and careless servant girl". When Watson asks
how Holmes knows this, the detective answers: It is simplicity itself .... My eyes tell me that on the inside of your left shoe,
just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have been caused by
someone who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Hence, you
see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting
specimen of the London slavey.
Deductive reasoning allows Holmes to learn a stranger's occupation, such as the retired Marine sergeant in A Study in
Scarlet; the ship's-carpenter-turned-pawnbroker in "The Red-Headed League", and the billiard-marker and retired artillery
non-commissioned officer in "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter". By studying inanimate objects, he makes
deductions about their owners (Watson's pocket watch in The Sign of the Four and a hat, pipe, and walking stick in other
stories). The detective's guiding principle, as he says in The Sign of the Four and elsewhere in the stories, is: "When you
have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes
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Social disability
In a June 2003 interview with NPR's Terry Gross on her program Fresh Air, Haddon said about Christopher, "If he were diagnosed, he
would be diagnosed as having Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism. I suppose you'd call it high-function autism in that he
can function on, you know, a day-to-day basis, in a kind of rudimentary way. But he has a serious difficulty with life in that he really
doesn't empathize with other human beings. He can't read their faces. He can't put himself in their shoes. And he can't understand
anything more than the literal meaning of whatever's said to him, although I'm very careful in the book not to actually use the word
'Asperger's' or 'autism.' ... Because I don't want him to be labeled, and because, as with most people who have a disability, I don't think
it's necessarily the most important thing about him... And as a good friend of mine said after reading the book, a friend who is himself a
mathematician, it's not a novel about a boy who has Asperger's syndrome; it's a novel about a young mathematician who has some
strange behavioural problems. And I think that's right."
Haddon added, in the conversation with Terry Gross, "I have to say honestly that I did more research about the London Underground
and the inside of Swindon Railway Station, where some of the novel takes place, than I did about Asperger's syndrome. I gave him kind
of nine or 10 rules that he would live his life by, and then I didn't read any more about Asperger's because I think there is no typical
person who has Asperger's syndrome, and they're as large and diverse a group of people as any other group in society. And the
important thing is that I did a lot of imagining, that I did a lot of putting myself into his shoes in trying to make him come alive as a
human being rather than getting him right, whatever that might mean."
Haddon states on his website that, although he had read "a handful of newspaper and magazine articles about, or by, people with
Asperger's and autism" in preparation for writing the book, he knows "very little" about Asperger's syndrome and that Christopher
Boone is inspired by two different people. According to Haddon, none of these people can be labeled as having a disability. Haddon
added that he "slightly regret[s]" that the term Asperger's syndrome appeared on the cover of his novel. In 2010, in an interview with
The Independent, he was described as "now thoroughly irritated that the word Asperger's appeared on subsequent editions of the
novel, because now everyone imagines that he is an expert and he keeps getting phone calls asking him to appear at lectures."
In a critical essay on the novel, Vivienne Muller quotes some praise by experts on disability theory: "In its presentation of Christopher's
everyday experiences of the society in which he lives, the narrative offers a rich canvas of experiences for an ethnographic study of this
particular cognitive condition, and one which places a positive spin on the syndrome. The reader in this instance acts as ethnographer,
invited to see what Mark Osteen claims is a 'quality in autistic lives that is valuable in and of itself' (cited in [S.] Adams 2005, p.1). Along
similar lines, [Alex] McClimens writes that Haddon's novel is 'an ethnographic delight' and that 'Haddon's achievement is to have
written a novel that turns on the central character's difference without making that difference a stigmatizing characteristic' (2005,
p.24)." Muller adds that the novel "works with a strong sense of the disabled speaking subject, drawing readers into Christopher's
cognitive/corporeal space through an incremental layering of his perspectives and reactions... The narrative also bristles with diagrams,
maps, drawings, stories, texts that inform Christopher's lexicon for mapping meaning in a world of bewildering signs and sounds." She
also admires such elements as "the digressive stream-of-connectedness-and-disconnectedness way in which Christopher writes and
thinks; the obsessive focus on minutiae; his musings about why animals behave the way they do; his quasi philosophizing on death and
life and the afterlife; his ambition to be an astronaut..."
In a survey of children's books which "teach about emotional life," Laura Jana wrote, "On the one hand, this is a story of how an
undeniably quirky teenage boy clings to order, deals with a family crisis, and tries to make sense of the world as he sees it. But it also
provides profound insight into a disorder—autism—that leaves those who have it struggling to perceive even the most basic of human
emotions. In so doing, The Curious Incident leaves its readers with a greater appreciation of their own ability to feel, express, and
interpret emotions. This mainstream literary success made its way to the top of the New York Times bestseller list for fiction at the
same time it was being touted by experts in Asperger's syndrome and autism-spectrum disorder as an unrivaled fictional depiction of
the inner workings of an autistic teenage boy.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Incident_of_the_Dog_in_the_Night-Time#Themes
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About the Novel
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a 2003 mystery novel by British
writer Mark Haddon. Its title quotes the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes in Arthur
Conan Doyle's 1892 short story "Silver Blaze". Haddon and The Curious Incident won the
Whitbread Book Awards for Best Novel and Book of the Year, the Commonwealth
Writers' Prize for Best First Book, and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. As a writer
for The Guardian remarked, "Unusually, it was published simultaneously in separate
editions for adults and children."
The novel is narrated in the first-person perspective by Christopher John Francis Boone, a
15-year-old boy who describes himself as "a mathematician with some behavioural
difficulties" living in Swindon, Wiltshire. Although Christopher's condition is not stated,
the book's blurb refers to Asperger syndrome, high-functioning autism, or savant
syndrome. In July 2009, Haddon wrote on his blog that "Curious Incident is not a book
about Asperger's....if anything it's a novel about difference, about being an outsider,
about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way. The book is not specifically
about any specific disorder," and that he, Haddon, is not an expert on autism spectrum
disorder or Asperger syndrome.
The book is dedicated to Sos Eltis, Haddon's wife, with thanks to Kathryn Heyman, Clare
Alexander, Kate Shaw and Dave Cohen.
The book uses prime numbers to number the chapters, rather than the conventional
successive numbers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Incident_of_the_Dog_in_the_Night-Time
Constellation
In everyday usage, a constellation is a traditional or recognizable group of
stars in the night sky, or the region of the sky containing them. In technical
usage these meanings have been separated, with groupings of stars being
called asterisms, and the word constellation being reserved for a specific
area of the celestial sphere with boundaries laid down by the International
Astronomical Union (IAU). These areas mostly had their origins in Westerntraditional asterisms from which the constellations take their names. When
astronomers say something is “in” a given constellation they mean it is
within those official boundaries. There are 88 officially recognized
constellations, covering the entire sky which have grown from the 48
classical Greek constellations laid down by Ptolemy in the Almagest. Out of
these 88 constellations, 12 compose the zodiac signs.
Thus, any given point in a celestial coordinate system can unambiguously
be assigned to a constellation. It is usual in astronomy to give the
constellation in which a given object is found along with its coordinates in
order to convey a rough idea in which part of the sky it is located.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constellation
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
TIMELINE
2003
Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is published
2004
The novel wins Whitbread Book of the Year Award in the UK plus more than 17 literary awards
in the UK, Japan, Holland and Italy. The book is on the long-list for the Man Booker Prize—
many are surprised that it does not make the short-list.
2008
Mark Haddon and Simon Stephens first meet at National Theatre Studio and discuss the idea
of dramatizing the novel.
2011
Simon Stephens adapts the book for the stage and asks Marianne Elliott to consider directing
it.
2012
The Play goes into the National Theatre Studio for work-shopping and a production schedule is
produced.
Aug 2 2012
The Play opens at the National Theatre’s Cottesloe Theatre.
Sept 6 2012
National Theatre Live broadcast goes out (filmed in the round in the Cottesloe Theatre).
March 1 2013
Play transfers to London’s Apollo Theatre
Oct 15 2013
BBC Online recourses go live giving insight to the rehearsal process
bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03dw2r/clips
2013
Production receives seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting
Design and Best Sound Design.
June 24 2014
West End production transfers to the Gielgud Theatre and is seen by over 300,000 people so
far during its run in the West End.
Oct 5 2014
Broadway production opens at the Barrymore Theatre
Dec 18 2014
UK Tour begins previews at The Lowry, Salford
2015
UK Tour
2015
Former Citadel Youth actor, Ben Wheelwright is cast as Christopher for the Broadway
production.
Sept 17 2016
The Canadian Premiere directed by Heidi Malazdrewich begins at the Citadel Theatre (coproduction with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre).
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
DESIGN
The Production design for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is by the ShowStages collective which is
composed of T. Erin Gruber (Set, Costumes & Lighting), Joel Adria (Projection) and Elijah Lindenberger (Sound).
http://showstages.com/
About
ShowStages is a video and design collective. They build narratives through projected media and interactive audiovisual experiences. We work in theatre and new media, creating unique shows and events. Founded in May 2012,
ShowStages is based in Alberta and has worked in theatres and venues across Canada.
T. Erin Gruber, Elijah
Lindenberger and Joel Adria of
ShowsStages collective
demonstrate the projection
design of The Curious Incident
of the Dog in the Night-Time
on a maquette for
videographer Brent Felzien.
17
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
DESIGN
T. Erin Gruber, Elijah Lindenberger and
Joel Adria of ShowStages collective
demonstrate the design of The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time for
the Cast and Creative Team .
Examples of T. Erin Gruber’s Costume
Designs for a couple of the characters in
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the
Night-Time.
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
PRODUCTION ELEMENTS
PROSCENIUM STAGE
A proscenium theatre is a specific style of theatre. Several features define a proscenium theatre, and this particular
theatre layout is extremely common; if you have ever been to see a live performance, especially in a high school auditorium, chances are high that you have seen a proscenium theatre. In addition to proscenium style theatres, it is also possible to find black box theatres, theatres with thrust stages, theatres in the round, and numerous other configurations
of stage and audience.
The classically defining feature of a proscenium theatre is the proscenium arch which frames the stage for the audience. In addition, the audience faces the stage directly, with no audience on the sides of the stage, and the stage in a
proscenium theatre is typically raised, allowing the audience to see more clearly. Modern proscenium theatres sometimes lack the proscenium arch, but they are still called “proscenium theatres” because they retain the other characteristics of this style of theatre.
Proscenium theatres originated in the 1600s, and became immensely popular by the 1700s. There are certain advantages
of a proscenium theatre, such as the fact that the stage doesn't have to be as open, allowing people to conceal props,
sets, and orchestras in the wings or near the stage without having these things visible to the audience. A proscenium
theatre also creates a sense of staged grandeur, with the proscenium arch acting almost like a picture frame, giving the
audience the sense that they are looking into a scene.
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Give three reasons why Christopher might be successful in his future life?

To what extent is Christopher a hero?

Do Christopher and his mum have similarities in the way they think why/why not?

How was it finally possible for Christopher to stay with his father?

How does Christopher's autism influence his sense of self?

Comment on the sort of minute detail that Christopher notices. What do you make of this? I.e., what does
it tell us about the way he sees the world and his responses to events?

What character qualities does Christopher have that would make him a good detective?

What are the pictures Siobhan shows Christopher and why does he need them?

What makes Christopher decide he has to go back to Swindon?

What are some of the ways Christopher finds to cope with the new and frightening situations he finds
himself in?

Is Mr. Boone an effective father to Christopher?

Why doesn’t Christopher like chatting?

Christopher finds humans are difficult to understand. To what extent does The Curious Incident of the Dog
in the Night-Time depict human communication as problematic?

The story is told from Christopher’s very restricted point of view, basically like a journal. His mother’s
letters are the only glimpse we get into someone else’s thinking. What would Christopher’s father’s journal
look like? What about his mother’s journal? Siobhan’s?

How different would the play be if it had been told from the perspective of one of his parents?

For someone who has such difficultly communicating is it a stretch to think that Christopher would be able
to write such an accessible story?

What can we learn from Christopher’s affection for animals? Why is he able to connect with them more
easily than he can with human beings?

Christopher has a hard time following social norms. Have you ever been in a situation where you had a
similar confusion or disorientation about the social rules? Perhaps in a different country?

Do you like Christopher? What about his father? And his mother? Are they good people? Do you
sympathize with them when they behave unskillfully, or blame them for their shortcomings?
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
http://aspennj.org/what-is-asperger-syndrome
http://www.autismspeaks.ca/get-involved/participate/walk-now-for-autism-speaks-canada/
https://www.autismedmonton.org/
http://www.autismedmonton.org/autism-edmonton-next-steps
Related Fiction and Non-Fiction
(Please research title before you use with your classes—there is a wide range of age appropriateness)
Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb
The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
Cracked by R.K. Belford
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Girl in the Dark by Marion Pauw
Happy As Larry by Jay Haughton
Saving Jason by Michael Sears
Long Way Down by Michael Sears
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick
Red Hill by Jamie McGuire
Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Hill
Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Emergence: Labeled Autistic by Temple Grandin
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Curriculum Connections:
Participation as an audience member at the Citadel Theatre aligns with the Alberta Education Curriculum. We’ve outline
below some (but not limited to) objectives which are developed through the viewing of live theatre:
Drama (Elementary)
Third Goal
To foster an appreciation for drama as an art form
Objectives
The child should:
1. Develop an awareness of an respect for potential excellence in self and others
2. Develop a capacity to analyze, evaluate and synthesize ideas and experiences
3. Develop an awareness and appreciation of the variety of dramatic forms of expression.
Specific Learner Expectations:
Intellectual—develop and exercise imagination; develop concentration
Emotional—explore emotion; control emotion; express emotion
Social—understand others; discipline self; develop appreciation of the work of self and others; cope with emotional responses
Integrative—learn to respond to stimuli; e.g., music, pictures, objects, literature; test and reflect on the consequences of
dramatic decisions
Drama (Junior High)
GOAL I
To acquire knowledge of self and others through participation in and reflection on dramatic experience.
Objectives
The student will:
• strengthen powers of concentration
• extend the ability to think imaginatively and creatively
• extend the ability to explore, control and express emotions
• extend the ability to explore meaning through abstract concepts

develop the ability to offer and accept constructive criticism
GOAL III
To develop an appreciation for drama and theatre as a process and art form.
Objectives
The student will:

develop awareness of various conventions of theatre

develop awareness of drama and theatre by viewing as great a variety of theatrical presentations as possible

develop the ability to analyze and assess the process and the art

develop recognition of and respect for excellence in drama and theatre
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Drama 10-20-30
GOAL I
To acquire knowledge of self and others through participation in and reflection on dramatic experience.
Objectives
The Student will:

extend the ability to concentrate

extend understanding of, acceptance of and empathy for others

demonstrate respect for others — their rights, ideas, abilities and differences (S)

demonstrate the ability to offer, accept, and reflect upon, constructive criticism.
GOAL II
To develop competency in communication skills through participation in and exploration of various dramatic disciplines.
Objectives
The Student will:

demonstrate understanding of integration of disciplines to enrich a theatrical presentation.
GOAL III
To develop an appreciation of drama and theatre as a process and art form.
Objectives
The student will:
• explore various conventions and traditions of theatre
• broaden knowledge of theatre by viewing as great a variety of theatrical presentations as possible (
• demonstrate the ability to assess critically the process and the art
• demonstrate recognition of and respect for excellence in drama and theatre
• develop an awareness of aesthetics in visual and performing arts.
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