The Halliford School Amateur Production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Earlier this month, our talented students brought Mark Haddon's acclaimed novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to life on stage in our newly refurbished John Crook Theatre. The ambitious amateur production showcased the students' incredible acting skills, as well as the dedication of the Halliford Drama Department in guiding them through this challenging yet rewarding adaptation.

The play revolves around Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism, who is determined to solve the mystery of who killed his neighbour’s dog, Wellington. As the plot unfolds, Christopher uncovers hidden truths about his own family while confronting his fears and navigating the complexities of social interactions.

Director Mr Bruno shared his admiration for the students' commitment to the production. ‘Watching these young actors grow into their roles and embrace the play's central themes of acceptance, courage, and resilience has been an absolute joy,’ he said. ‘Their ability to bring such a powerful story to life on stage is a testament to their talent and dedication.’

The rotating cast featured Jack in Year 11, Ollie in Year 10, Dylan in Year 9 and Lucas in Year 11 as Christopher Boone, all delivering mesmerising performances that captured the character's unique perspective and emotional journey.

Equally impressive were the performances of Ed Boone and Judy Boone, Christopher's parents. These pivotal roles were expertly handled by Elijah in Year 11, Joe and Laurence in Lower Sixth, and Arthur in Year 10, and Darcie and Emily in Lower Sixth respectively. Their nuanced performances provided depth and emotional resonance to the complex family dynamic, drawing the audience deeper into the heart of the story.

The audience was captivated with many praising the students' ability to convey the story's emotional depth with one parent commenting, ‘Absolutely outstanding show!! What a great night.’

In addition to the outstanding performances, the production featured an LED dancefloor which provided an innovative set design and clever use of lighting and sound effects to enhance the audience's experience, again all overseen by our talented student stage crew.

Headmaster, James Davies commented, ‘I am so proud of all our students who brought this magnificent play to life over two nights to a packed theatre. The performing arts are a very special part of Halliford School life and seeing students from Year 7 starting their journey working alongside those in the Upper Sixth who are heading to read Drama at university comes because of the inclusive and warm-hearted ethos of our school. I am thrilled that we are able to offer these wonderful opportunities to so many students as they make memories that will last a lifetime.’

As the curtains closed on the final performance, it was evident that Halliford School's amateur production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time had left a lasting impact on everyone involved, as well as the community that gathered to support these talented young actors. The production's success was undoubtedly enhanced by the recent refurbishment of the theatre with the updated space providing an intimate setting that allowed the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story. The new seating, lighting, and sound systems ensured a comfortable and engaging experience for all who attended, and we look forward to the next Halliford School production.