Adapted from Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel, it tells the story of Christopher, a 15-year-old neurodiverse boy who decides to investigate who killed his neighbour's dog with a garden fork, an event which discombobulates him.
Cautioned by his father not to continue his amateur sleuthing, Christopher ignores him and starts questioning his neighbours about what they know. What he discovers is darker and more complex than simply finding the perpetrator and it ends up taking over his life.
This small theatre tucked on a service road next to Waterloo station provides the perfect intimate setting for this story. The imaginative use of props and the wider cast give us an insight into Christopher’s mind and imagination. He possesses amazing mathematical abilities, is unable to tell lies, dislikes of the colour yellow, loves space and his pet rat.
Partially narrated by his patient and understanding teacher, Siobhan, she read us his version of the story, which he writes in a red book, and we are taken deeper into Christopher’s world. A place that, for him, can be difficult to navigate. The chemistry between Christopher and Siobhan is palpable. Siobhan’s patience and understanding of him is endearing.
The play manages to be both moving and comedic. Though at times the humour does feel forced and a little over the top. Christopher and Siobhan are strong and memorable but overall, the production is let down by laboured performances from other members of the cast. The relationship between Christopher and his parents is unrealistic, losing tension and momentum, especially in the second half. But it is hard to tell if this is deliberate or if we are being forced to see the characters through Christopher’s eyes.
It is a mighty effort in a small space and what was clear is the cast were enjoying it and each other. But it would benefit from more consistency in some performances to help the audience know from whose perspective we are seeing things.h
It runs until 13 June.
Review: S Newman