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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 6 Oct,
Adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel by Playwright Simon Stephens Directed by Ned Bennett
Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep today announce first casting for their new production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, inspired by the multi-million-selling, internationally acclaimed novel. EastEnders’ favourite Charlie Brooks (best known for her long-running role as Janine Butcher in the soap) and theatre credits including The Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre, UK Tour) and Joe McFadden (BBC’s The Crow Road and Holby City, ITV’s Heartbeat and 2017 Strictly Come Dancing winner) play protagonist Chris’ parents, Ed and Judy. Opening at Birmingham Rep in September before coming to Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 6 Oct,
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million- selling novel by acclaimed Playwright Simon Stephens and will be directed by Ned Bennett.
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Milton Keynes Theatre
Few productions arrive with quite as much history, success, and expectation attached to them as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Since Mark Haddon's much-loved novel was first published in 2003, it has sold more than ten million copies worldwide, become a staple of secondary school reading lists, and inspired an award-winning stage adaptation.
This latest production—originating from the Birmingham Rep—aims to introduce the story to a new generation of audiences while offering a fresh perspective on familiar material. Working alongside playwright Simon Stephens, who adapted the original novel for the stage, the creative team has reimagined the protagonist, Christopher Boone, as Chris, a teenage girl. The production has also benefited from the involvement of Dr. Sarah Jane Nuttall, an autism researcher who is herself autistic, helping ensure the portrayal feels authentic and relevant to contemporary audiences.
The show opened at Milton Keynes Theatre to a warm and enthusiastic reception, and it is easy to understand why many audience members connected with it. At its heart, the story invites us to see the world through the eyes of a neurodiverse teenager, exploring themes of family, trust, communication, and belonging. While the language remains intentionally simple, the relationships and emotions at the centre of the story are anything but.
The first twenty minutes take their time establishing the world in which Chris exists. The highly stylised staging can also feel a little unusual at first, requiring the audience to adjust to its quirky nature. However, once you settle into the production's rhythm, it becomes much easier to engage with the storytelling and embrace the moments where the play asks you to fill in the gaps using your own imagination.
Much of the set design relies on suggestion rather than realism, supported by inventive lighting, movement, and physical theatre. While this approach may not be to everyone's taste, it creates a distinctive atmosphere that feels different from a traditional drama and allows the audience to experience events from Chris's unique perspective.
What stays with you after the final curtain is not so much the mystery surrounding the dog's death, but the insight into how differently people can experience and interpret the world around them. The production encourages empathy without preaching and leaves audiences with plenty to think about long after they leave the theatre.
Given the enduring popularity of the original book and previous stage adaptations, I suspect this latest interpretation will appeal particularly to younger audiences. With the novel continuing to feature heavily within the secondary school curriculum, the production feels well-placed to introduce a new generation to Chris's story and the themes that have resonated with readers and theatregoers for over twenty years.
Chris Boone is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, Chris comes under suspicion. Determined to prove their innocence, Chris becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a
mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue uncovered.
What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, forcing Chris to confront truths that will test their courage, family, and understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world. Inventive, gripping, and moving, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story in an unforgettable theatrical event. Of her casting, Charlie Brooks says, “I am thrilled to be part of this new production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, having been a huge fan of the book and Simon Stephens’ previous adaptation. Working alongside such a talented cast and creative team has been both inspiring and rewarding, and I cannot wait for audiences to experience the heart, humour, and humanity at the centre of this remarkable play.”
Joe McFadden continues, “I loved The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time when I first read it, and I was completely blown away by the stage production in the West End so I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing Ed in this new tour and can’t wait to bring this brilliant, moving and uplifting
story to audiences across the UK alongside such a fantastic cast.” Director Ned Bennett concludes, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be directing this new production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Mark Haddon’s compassionate and extraordinary novel, and Simon Stephens’ moving, inventive, and imaginative adaptation, combine to create a complex play with remarkable emotional precision. I’m excited to be collaborating with this extraordinary cast and creative team - and to be working with the brilliant teams at Melting Pot and the Birmingham Rep.”
Joe McFadden’s theatre credits include: The Shawshank Redemption (UK Tour); 2:22 A Ghost Story (Gielgud Theatre); The Mirror Crack’d (UK Tour); Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour); Treason (London Palladium and Festival Theatre; Edinburgh); Priscilla - Queen of the Desert (UK Tour); The House on Cold Hill (UK Tour); Rent (Shaftesbury Theatre); Rainbow Kiss (The Royal Court) Torch Song Trilogy (Menier Chocolate Factory) How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Chichester Festival Theatre); She Loves Me (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Missing (National Theatre Scotland). Television credits include: Holby City; Heartbeat; Casualty; The Crow Road; Sex Chips and Rock n’ Roll; Sparkhouse; Judge John Deed; The Law; High Road & Taggart. His films include: Small Faces and The Trouble With Men And Women.
Charlie Brooks’ theatre credits include: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour); The Ocean At The End Of The Lane (National Theatre); All In A Row (Southwark Playhouse); Monogamy (Park Theatre); Beautiful Thing (Arts Theatre; West End); A Streetcar Named Desire (Curve Theatre); How
The Other Half Loves (UK Tour); Contact.com (Park Theatre); Our Country’s Good (Liverpool Playhouse); The Play What I Wrote (UK Tour). Her TV credits include: The Hack; Lie With Me; Bleak House; Wired; Robin Hood; Eastenders; Moving On; Suspects; The Dumping Ground; Love Soup;
Heartbeat; Casualty; Angel of Death; Golden Hour; London’s Burning; Out of Tune; The Demon Headmaster. Film includes: The Secret Santa Projects; Fog; Take Three Girls. Inventive, gripping, and moving, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story in an unforgettable theatrical event. ‘Crowd-Pleasing, Life-Affirming And Unmissable’ – The Times
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time premiered at the National Theatre in 2012 and immediately received widespread acclaim for its groundbreaking theatrical design, emotional storytelling and sensitive depiction of neurodiversity. It remains one of the most successful and
acclaimed British plays of the 21st century and has been seen globally by over 5 million people. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time won seven Olivier Awards in 2013 (equalling the then record, set by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda), including Best New Play for
Stephen’s stage adaptation, Best Director for Marianne Elliott and Best Actor for its star, Luke Treadaway. The play debuted on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in 2014 and scooped five Tony Awards in 2015, including Best Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Actor. Numerous tours and international productions have followed, including in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Full casting and creative team to be announced.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is produced by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep Performances run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 6 – Sat 10 Oct 2026. For further information and to book tickets, visit ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.