THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME COMES TO NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL: Theatre Royal

The National Theatres multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is set to visit Newcastle Theatre Royal, 26 January 7 February 2015, on its first UK tour.

Simon Stephens adaptation of Mark Haddons best-selling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time received seven Olivier Awards in 2013 including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.  It also won the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre and has been seen by over 200,000 people during its run in the West End. Christopher, fifteen years old, stands beside Mrs Shears dead dog.  It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington.  He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.  He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers.  But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is directed by Marianne Elliott, who co-directed the National Theatres record-breaking production of War Horse which is now in its sixth year in the West End. Marianne Elliott is an Associate Director of the National Theatre where, in addition to War Horse,  her productions have included The Light Princess, Port, Seasons Greetings, Alls Well that Ends Well, Harper Regan, Saint Joan (Olivier Award for Best Revival, South Bank Show Award for Theatre), and Pillars of the Community (Evening Standard Award for Best Director).  Marianne was consultant director on The Elephantom for the National Theatre and also recently directed Sweet Bird of Youth for the Old Vic with Kim Cattrall. Mark Haddons novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was published in 2003. It was the winner of more than 17 literary awards, including prizes in Japan, Holland and Italy as well as the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in the UK in 2004, and was translated into 44 languages. A Spot of Bother, published in 2006, was also an international bestseller. As well as writing fiction, Mark Haddons first work for the theatre, Polar Bears, was produced by the Donmar Warehouse in 2010. He has written 15 books for children, published a first collection of poetry in 2005 and is an illustrator and award-winning screenwriter. The Red House, Mark Haddons new novel was recently published by Vintage in paperback. Casting to be announced in due course.