INSPIRATION FROM THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

Influences from the National Theatre production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night -Time' based on the novel by Mark Haddon adapted by Simon Stephens

Carly's Voice by Carly and Arthur Fleischmann (Simon & Schuster publications)

  

   

On the 27th of November, 2014 we went to watch 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End.

As part of research into different types of autism, and different theatrical interpretations and presentations, we went to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - a play directed by Marianne Elliott based on the original book by Mark Haddon, adapted by playwright Simon Stephens for the stage. The play uses aspects of physical theatre, versatile set and visual media to help portray the way Christopher Boone, the autistic protagonist thinks and interprets the world around him.

Christopher becomes an Astronaut with the help of the ensemble and physical theatre work. 

Our opening montage is a good example of the Frantic Assembly choreography which inspired our piece. We use physical theatre to create our contemporary setting in our opening scene. Inspired by a video called Carly's Cafe-

HERE IS THE LINK OF THE VIDEO STIMULI WHICH SHOWS CARLY IN A CAFE TRIGGERED BY EVERYDAY SOUNDS AND HYPER- STIMULATIONS.

CARLY'S CAFE STIMULI


We have an internet cafe setting in which our character Carly, is sat oblivious to the different caricature characters within the cafe, she is instead typing immersed in her cyber world, a safe haven and place of communication on the internet where she can be free from her non-verbal autism and oral-motor apraxia. In our montage we wanted the cafe to intially be a place of freedom for our main protagonist as she communicates with her fans on social media, a positive voice and support for those affected by autism. Unfortunately this safe haven begins to cave in as the sounds of the environment trigger hyper-stimulations and sensory overload, Carly once more is controlled by her autism.


EARLY REHEARSAL FOOTAGE OF THE CAFE MONTAGE

There are memorable points within 'Curious' where Christopher is central, surrounded by ensemble members who represent his mind as they draw attention to certain details in his thought patterns, using their bodies and physical theatre to become the props and set,  as well as creating the different environments Christopher encounters in his journey to find his Mum in London. 

We also use a simple set of 6 easily move able blocks that initially set out our staging area in a semi-circle configuration. We will be using the blocks to represent different objects and settings, and also to draw on them with chalk to highlight words or phrases to the audience that communicate our character Carly's inner mind. 

Use of chalk drawings in 'Curious' has inspired 'Carly's Silence' to reinforce medical facts and her inner thought patterns. to the audience. 

            

There are of course differences within the types of autism we are exploring in 'Carly's Silence' and in Mark Haddon's novel 'The Curious Incident in the Dog in the Night-Time'. Christopher Boone has Aspergers Syndrome (although this is not directly stated within the book or play). Carly is on the other end of the spectrum and has non- verbal Autism, however we intend to later portray many different parts of the autistic spectrum by introducing a group of young characters who live in a communal respite.  Christopher Boone's awkward yet humorous mannerisms, enthusiasm for maths and learning, and literal approach has provided an insightful base for further character interpretations in our play such as Aspergers Syndrome.