It has been a while since I have seen a West End to Tour transfer, but I thought from all of the great reviews I have seen about Curious Incident, I thought it would be a good show to see.
In some ways the staging of Curious Incident was simplistic, yet in others it is possibly one of the most complex I have seen.
A simple box design, with blocks and props were made to feel so much more through the use of superb lighting, sound and expertly choreographed movements.
The simplistic complexity of the staging, matched not only what I perceive as the essence of the main character, Christopher Boone played expertly by Scott Reid, but also the script itself, which is of course meant to have been written by the character. Confused? It all makes sense when you watch the show.
The fact that it does make sense is not only a triumph for the actual script writer, but for the cast, all of whom play multiple roles (both human and inanimate objects), as despite often jumping from past to current action, and from real world to the world in Christopher's head, I was never lost / confused.
One point I have to make is the excellent use of silence throughout the show, used in complete contrast to the blasting, loud noise - created to make the audience feel how Christopher would feel with sensory overload I assume - used at times. It is rare that awkward silences last as long as they seemed to last in Curious Incident, without losing the audience. However I was not only held throughout the silences, I was captivated.
If you get a chance to see Curious Incident, see it.
It is not only amazing theatre, it gives an amazing insight into how other people see the world and may even open your eyes and change how you view people with differences.
Curious Incident continues to tour and after Southend visits Liverpool, Bradford, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Norwich and Milton Keynes.
In some ways the staging of Curious Incident was simplistic, yet in others it is possibly one of the most complex I have seen.
A simple box design, with blocks and props were made to feel so much more through the use of superb lighting, sound and expertly choreographed movements.
The simplistic complexity of the staging, matched not only what I perceive as the essence of the main character, Christopher Boone played expertly by Scott Reid, but also the script itself, which is of course meant to have been written by the character. Confused? It all makes sense when you watch the show.
The fact that it does make sense is not only a triumph for the actual script writer, but for the cast, all of whom play multiple roles (both human and inanimate objects), as despite often jumping from past to current action, and from real world to the world in Christopher's head, I was never lost / confused.
One point I have to make is the excellent use of silence throughout the show, used in complete contrast to the blasting, loud noise - created to make the audience feel how Christopher would feel with sensory overload I assume - used at times. It is rare that awkward silences last as long as they seemed to last in Curious Incident, without losing the audience. However I was not only held throughout the silences, I was captivated.
If you get a chance to see Curious Incident, see it.
It is not only amazing theatre, it gives an amazing insight into how other people see the world and may even open your eyes and change how you view people with differences.
Curious Incident continues to tour and after Southend visits Liverpool, Bradford, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Norwich and Milton Keynes.