REVIEW: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME @ THE QUESTORS THEATRE

🎭 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

📍 The Playhouse, The Questors Theatre, 12 Mattock Lane, London, W5 5BQ

🗓 Saturday 21st March 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE

Last night I was invited back to a venue that's beginning to feel like a bit of a home away from home, The Questors Theatre. This was my 53rd theatre visit of the year - yes, I'm keeping count, and yes, my social life is basically just sitting in the dark with strangers at this point - but this one was a bit different for me.

Firstly, I have a massive confession to make: I've managed to completely miss the boat on THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. I never saw the big National Theatre production and I've never actually read the book, so I walked into the Playhouse with absolutely no idea what to expect. No spoilers, no preconceived notions - just a fresh pair of eyes for a story that, it turns out, is pretty remarkable.

The play kicks off with a grisly discovery: a neighbour's dog, Wellington, has been killed with a garden fork. Our protagonist is 15-year-old Christopher Boone, a brilliant mathematician who is neurodivergent. Christopher decides to do some detective work to find the killer, but what starts as a local mystery quickly spirals into a much bigger, more overwhelming journey. It's a deeply moving look at how someone who processes the world through logic and patterns navigates a neurotypical world that is often loud, messy, and confusing.

At first glance, the set looked a lot more simplistic than what I've come to expect from the creative wizards at The Questors. I'll admit, I was wondering if they'd scaled back, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It was actually incredibly clever. The way the screens and set pieces were utilised was spot on. It was as if they represented Christopher's safe space - inside his video game.

The sound design was brilliant at creating a shifting atmosphere, and the lighting was beautifully understated too. I especially loved the moments when all these technical elements came together to give the audience a sensory taste of what life is like inside a neurodiverse head on a daily basis. It's a technically sound production that uses every tool on the box to tell the story from the inside out.

The acting, for the most part, was of an extremely high standard, but Rory Hobson completely owned the night as Christopher. He never once left the stage, which is a massive feat in itself, but he stayed utterly compelling and engaging throughout. He played Christopher with such a sensitive understanding. He didn't just act the part, he completely inhabited the very being of the character. I have to say that out of everything I've seen this year, Hobson gave one of the strongest performances I've witnessed.

There were also standout performances from Claire Durrant as Siobhan, who provided a beautifully grounded anchor for the story, and Holly Gillanders, who was excellent as Judy. I also have to mention the incredible ensemble, who spent much of the play sat in the darkness at the back of the stage. Their multi-rolling was excellent, switching between various characters with such ease and precision that it kept the momentum of Christopher's world moving at a cracking pace.

If you're like me and somehow missed this story the first time around - or even if you know it by heart - this production is well worth the trip to Ealing. It's a powerful, technically sharp bit of storytelling that will stay with you.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME continues performances at The Questors Theatre until Saturday 28th March. Click here to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was gifted by The Questors Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Rory Hobson as Christopher Boone; Claire Durrant as Siobhan; Andrew Miller as Ed; Holly Gillanders as Judy; Mary Davies as Mrs Alexander / Posh Woman / Voice Six; Alison Griffin as Mrs Shears / Mrs Gascoyne / Voive One / Woman on Train / Woman on Heath / Shopkeeper; James Rushbrooke as Roger (Mr Shears) / Duty Sergeant / Voice Two / Mr Wise; Man behind Counter / Drink One; Dan Wilson as Policeman One / Mr Thompson / Voice Three / Drunk Two / Man with Socks / London Policeman; Julice Liecier as No. 40 / Voice Five / Lady in Street / Information / Punk Girl; Simon Higginson as Reverend Peters / Uncle Terry / Voice Four / Station Policeman / Station Guard; Django as Sooty

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 housr 10 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Strong language

AGE GUIDELINE:

14 +

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