Award winning theatre show to hit the stage at local secondary schools

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time schools tour

A specially staged production of the National Theatre’s award-winning play, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ will be coming to three secondary schools in Rochdale in partnership with The Lowry Theatre.

The tour of the play forms part of the National Theatre’s drive to introduce new audiences to theatre, in a three-year partnership working with local theatres and schools.

In November and December 2018 the tour will visit Hollingworth Academy, St Anne’s Academy and Kingsway Park High School.

The school tour is a 90-minute version of the play and will be followed by a Q&A session for students with the theatre company.

The show brings Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to life on stage. It tells the story of Christopher John Francis Boone, who is fifteen years old. He stands besides Mrs Shears’ dead dog, Wellington, who 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 killed 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 novel has won more than 17 literary awards and is widely studied in schools. Simon Stephens’ adaptation is a set text for GCSE English literature.

The tour is also accompanied by a learning programme which includes professional development for teachers led by the NT and Curious Incident movement directors Frantic Assembly, as well as curriculum-based resources and workshops.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “These are going to be really special events for the schools. Live theatre is fantastic so it will be really exciting being in their own school.”

Rachel Kirkpatrick, performing arts teacher and head of personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE) at Hollingworth Academy said: "We are delighted to be inviting such a renowned performance into Hollingworth Academy. We are struggling to contain our excitement, and that’s just the staff! Our students thrive when they learn through alternative experiences and bringing Christopher’s story to life gives them the opportunity to view their world through the eyes of someone who sees the wonder and complexities of everything around them.”

Claire Bamford, director of performing arts at St Anne’s Academy, said: “We are proud to host the National Theatre's production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.  This opportunity will enable our BTEC Performing Arts students (Year 10 to 13) to access an exceptional standard of theatre in the comfort of our own surroundings.  The experience will also provide additional education relating to theatre production roles; observing the way in which our own performance facilities can be transformed by a touring theatre group.” 

Liz Phillips, head of creative and performing arts, at Kingsway Park High School, said: “I am very excited about the production coming to visit us. It is a fantastic opportunity for the students to watch and enjoy a quality performance and have the chance to talk to the actors from The National Theatre.”

The schools tour will visit five schools per week from now and will also visit Doncaster, London, Outer East London, Sunderland, Salford, Wakefield and Wigan.