CURIOUS INCIDENT Selfie from Elizabeth K.

Theatre is an art that opens people’s eyes in a new way.  Detailed sets vary from production to production, music and sounds draw the audience in, and characters allow us to enter new worlds.  In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, I was given the chance to enter the world of Christopher Boone (Graham Butler), the world of a teenager with Asperger syndrome.  During this play of healing, pain, joy, and heartbreak, I was enthralled by the ideas about family relationships that were shown through the characters and the set.

At the start of the play, it is clear that Christopher's family struggles with many difficulties.  His parents are trying to raise a son with a disability, and they eventually separate after having relationship problems.  Their lives are not easy; they have little energy left to give their son the care he really needs.  Watching scenes of the father’s violence and the mother’s despair made Christopher’s story all the more painful.  The mood of the audience in the beginning was left sinking.

As the play progresses, the family’s thinly worn relationships and short tempers improve.  His parents do not get back together, but they work as a team to support their son.  The father faces the reality of truth and finds ways to relate to Christopher; the mother gains the resolve to go back and become part of her son’s life.  In fact, both parents physically move closer to Christopher onstage as the play comes to a close.  This simple gesture shows that they are there to support him.  Even their calm, constant voices continue to comfort Christopher when he is out of their care. Their voices and physical movement in the play contributed to the overall sense of positive change in their family.  Our spirits lifted when we saw Christopher’s family beginning to heal, ending in a better place than where they started.  Watching this transformation served as a great reminder that although change may be difficult, it can be very rewarding.  

As the family relationships grow and change, much is portrayed about the idea of family.  When I observed the struggling between the two parents and then the unrest between Christopher and his parents, I was reminded that no family is perfect.  All have difficulties and troubles that take perseverance to surmount.  In this family’s case, one obstacle is Christopher’s Asperger syndrome.  Their small acts of patience and love help them overcome problems and heal relationships.  His parents do not get back together, but each kind deed strengthens their family: helping Christopher undress, using the apple timer to relate to him, encouraging Christopher when he is down, giving him a puppy, holding out a hand, and even just saying “I love you.”  Love and patience are this family’s healing medicines; love and patience heal brokenness. 

Another idea shown is that true family does not have to be through blood.  Christopher’s teacher, Siobhan (Sarah Woodward), always loves and cares for him, and she provides the constant support he desperately needs.  Not only is she his teacher, but she is also like another parent to him.  Siobhan is Christopher Boone’s rock.  In today’s world, this concept is so relevant, especially because many who are raised in unsteady homes seek support from others: teachers, church leaders, mentors, or friends.  Family can truly be anyone.  From my perspective, Christopher’s family included his parents and his teacher. 

Though I learned about family from the character relationships, I was actually able to learn more about Christopher from the set.  When I arrived at the theatre, I thought the set was plain, consisting of blank boxes across the walls and only a few small props on stage.  However, my assumption was completely wrong.  Watching the set was just as important as watching the characters during this play.  As soon as the play began, I realized that the set was computerized and designed to depict Christopher’s thought process.  For example, when Christopher is frustrated or angry, the set turns into disarray with numbers and letters flying quickly, chaotic voices blaring loudly, and bright lights flashing randomly.  When Christopher is calm, the set turns into a blank screen with few distractions.  When Christopher is excited and confident, the set turns into a beautiful show with colorful, patterned lights, cheerful music, and clear voices.  This set made the audience feel involved because we got to personally experience what Christopher was thinking and feeling, especially about his family interactions.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time presented a great variety of cultural ideas, but a large part of this play centered on the concept of family.  Though I did not see as many children in the theatre, the audience was comprised of many people aging from teenagers to adults who actively participated during the show.  The character interactions told the story, and the set added to our experience as we were given a glimpse into the main character’s thoughts.  Overall, the growth of Christopher Boone’s family throughout The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time truly touched the audience; our silence, laughter, and even tears were the proof.