A specially staged production of the National Theatre’s award-winning play, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME will be seen by eight secondary schools in Wolverhampton in partnership with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

The schools 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 2018 the tour will visit the following local schools:

• Coppice Performing Arts School, who are also hosting St Matthias School
• Khalsa Academy
• University of Wolverhampton hosting Thomas Telford School and Thorns Collegiate Academy
• Colton Hills Community School
• King’s Church of England School

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

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is collaborating with the National Theatre to develop local audiences and engagement in theatre and reach new audiences in Wolverhampton. Together, they have worked to identify local schools to take part in the programme, host training sessions for teachers and provide logistical support. The collaboration is part of a three-year project, Theatre Nation Partnerships, focusing on six areas around the country.

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

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME brings Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to life on stage, adapted by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Olivier and Tony Award® winning director Marianne Elliott. 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 play 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.

James Collins, Creative Learning Co-ordinator at the Grand Theatre said; “I am thrilled that we are able to work with the National Theatre to take this fantastic play into schools. As a theatre, we aim to engage with as many young people as possible. In particular, we strive to reach those who may not have the opportunity to attend quality drama productions, such as those produced by the National Theatre. The fact that we can do this through the Curious Incident schools tour is extremely exciting.”

Speaking about the schools tour Simon Stephens said: “It means the world to me that Curious Incident will be touring schools around the country. I worked as a schoolteacher teaching kids in Dagenham in Essex 20 years ago. I loved it. I still think of myself as a teacher. I have seen first-hand how inspiring drama is to young people in schools. I believe the arts to be fundamental to our society. We can’t afford to lose them from our education system. I am delighted that our play will play its part in introducing young people to the theatre. I always hoped that Curious Incident was a play that could be performed anywhere, by anyone. The play is designed to provoke and inspire imagination and interpretation in its staging and inspiration in its audience. The tour will, I hope, provide the same kind of imagination and inspiration throughout the country.”

Alice King-Farlow, Director of Learning at the National Theatre said, “At the National Theatre we believe that all young people should have the opportunity to experience and participate in drama no matter where they are in the UK. We’re delighted to be touring this award-winning play to schools, and via our Theatre Nation Partnership with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, we hope that bringing Simon Stephen’s brilliant Curious Incident to young audiences in Wolverhampton will help to spark imaginations and encourage participation in theatre.”

Lindsey Pound, Curriculum Leader of Performing Arts (dance, drama and music) at Colton Hills Community School in Wolverhampton said, “This is an incredible experience to expose large cohorts of pupils to quality arts provision in house and see alternative staging in action. The fact that Curious is performed in the round offers pupils a live opportunity to see how theatre can be performed with greater flexibility than the traditional proscenium arch. In addition; this has provided fantastic opportunities to make cross curricular links with Drama and English departments through shared planning and support both the year nine curriculum and the BTEC Technical Award in Performing Arts.”

The cast includes Shiv Jalota, Kathryn McGarr, Nick Pearse, Chereen Buckley, Caroline Parker, Matt Wilman, Suni La and Kieran Garland.

The production is designed by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Bunny Christie and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable. Movement is by Scott Graham and Olivier Award-winning Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton (who also composed music for War Horse) and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph. The Associate Director is Anna Marsland.