Review: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, Bristol Hippodrome

Fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone has an extraordinary mind. He can solve maths problems that would send most adults into a panic and he can remember levels of detail that confound those around him. He also, however, hates the colour yellow, can't use a toilet if a stranger has used it and has never left his street in Swindon on his own...until now. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon's bestselling novel, is a joyous celebration of bravery, difference and humanity.

After a late-night incident ends up with a neighbour's dog being killed, Christopher turns detective, determined to find out who is responsible. What follows is Christopher's own account of what happened - through writing his memories down in a book. His teacher Siobhan slyly suggests it might make a good play. Christopher's answer is no: it's his book and just for him.

Thankfully for us, it doesn't just make a good play, it makes a great one. This 2012 National Theatre production has won countless awards and has only just closed in the West End after a run that surpassed expectations. On this evidence, it deserved every one of those accolades.

Scott Reid takes on the role of Christopher and portrays him with heart, warmth and truth. His movement is exceptional as he captures both the stillness of Christopher and the bursts of excitable energy. David Michaels and Emma Beattie play to perfection the flawed nature of Christopher's parents. Both are good people and share a deep love for Christopher, but neither can hide the strain of looking after someone with Christopher's needs.

The movement direction from Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett is exceptional. It is precise and purposeful - whether the jolts of passengers a train or the opening of a door, it is always flowing and building pictures for us.

Talking of pictures, this production is a masterclass in how to bring design elements together. Bunny Christie's box set matched with the video and lighting designs of Finn Ross and Paule Constable work in perfect harmony to create a myriad of places. They can create a train chugging through the Wiltshire countryside as easily as they can let Christopher join the dots inside his mind.

The play is a wonderful expression of difference and of how much we have to process in our brains during our everyday lives. By observing the world through Christopher's viewpoint, maybe we can all understand it a bit better.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Bristol Hippodrome until 17 June

Photo Credit: Brinkhoff/Moegenburg