By Grace Hatchell
A modern theatrical classic is heading back to the stage – but thankfully it isn’t simply dusting off the old production, polishing the props and hoping nobody notices. We’ve all seen revivals that feel a little like someone found an old script in the loft and thought, “That’ll do.” This, however, feels rather more ambitious.
Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep have announced the full cast and creative team for a bold new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, opening at Birmingham Rep this September before embarking on an extensive UK tour.
And there is one particularly significant change at the centre of it all.
For the first time in the play’s history, the role of Chris Boone will be played by female performers. Alex Keenan will lead the company as Chris, alternating in the role with Imi Price. It offers audiences a new perspective on one of contemporary theatre’s most recognisable characters while remaining faithful to the heart of Simon Stephens’ acclaimed adaptation of Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel.
I have to admit, I rather like this. Theatre should surprise us every now and then. If every revival simply copied the last one, we’d all save ourselves the ticket money and stay home watching DVDs.
The production opens at Birmingham Rep from Saturday 5 to Saturday 19 September 2026 before heading out on a major UK tour that continues right through to May 2027. That’s quite the road trip. By the end of it, the cast will probably know every motorway service station between Aberdeen and Southampton by first name.
Charlie Brooks and Joe McFadden lead the supporting cast
Alex Keenan and Imi Price will be joined by the previously announced Charlie Brooks and Joe McFadden, who play Chris’s parents, Ed and Judy.
Charlie Brooks is, of course, best known as EastEnders’ unforgettable Janine Butcher, while theatre audiences may also know her from The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Joe McFadden’s television career includes The Crow Road, Holby City and Heartbeat, while Strictly Come Dancing fans will fondly remember him lifting the Glitterball Trophy in 2017.
Joining them are Bridgette Amofah as Siobhan, Alex Murdoch as Mrs Alexander, Posh Woman and Voice One, Matthew Bulgo as Roger (Mr Shears), Duty Sergeant, Voice Two, Mr Wise, Man Behind Counter and Drunk One, Jerone Marsh Reid as Mr Thompson, Man with Socks, London Policeman and Voice Three, Carla Garratt as Punk Girl, No. 40, Voice Five and Information, Tom Clegg as Rev. Peters, Uncle Terry, Voice Four, Station Policeman and Station Guard, Robert Penny as Voice Seven and Sera Mustafa as Mrs Gascoyne, Woman on Train, Shopkeeper, Police Officer One and Voice Six. Together they also perform as the show’s ensemble.
Honestly, spare a thought for the wardrobe department. Matthew Bulgo alone appears to have enough costume changes to keep several dressers fully employed, and Tom Clegg doesn’t exactly have a quiet evening either.
A murder mystery with far more beneath the surface
Adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time follows Chris Boone, whose brilliant mathematical mind contrasts with finding the unpredictability of everyday life deeply unsettling.
When a neighbour’s dog is discovered dead, Chris falls under suspicion and decides to investigate the mystery personally. Determined to prove her innocence, she becomes both detective and suspect as the clues begin leading much closer to home than anyone expected. Along the way, Chris is forced to confront difficult truths about trust, family, independence and the wider world.
That’s about as much as I’m prepared to say because I refuse to be responsible for spoilers. If you’ve somehow avoided this story for over twenty years, I’d hate to be the person who ruins the ending over your morning cuppa.
The story blends an intriguing murder mystery with an emotional coming-of-age journey, creating one of the most distinctive pieces of British theatre of recent decades.
The creative team behind the production
The production is directed by Ned Bennett, with Eleanor Bull serving as set and costume designer.
Laura Howard is lighting designer, Giles Thomas is composer and sound designer, Hayley Egan is video designer and Jenni Jackson is movement director. Completing the creative team are costume supervisor Izzy Pellow, props supervisor Eve Hall, casting director Abby Galvin and associate director Anastasia Osei-Kuffour.
I always think productions like this live or die on their creative team. This isn’t a play where everyone sits around a dining table chatting politely for two hours. The world inside Chris’s mind is every bit as important as the dialogue, so there’s plenty of exciting talent behind the scenes making that happen.
A modern classic returns
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time premiered at the National Theatre in 2012, immediately earning widespread acclaim for its innovative theatrical design and emotional storytelling.
Since then, it has become one of the most successful and celebrated British plays of the 21st century, with more than five million people seeing the production around the world.
Five million people. That’s rather more impressive than my personal record of convincing three friends to agree on where to go for dinner.
The new production is presented by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep before embarking on a nationwide tour that visits theatres across England, Scotland and Wales.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time UK tour
Following its Birmingham opening, the production visits Woking, Brighton, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Leicester, York, Liverpool, Wimbledon, Chichester, Bath, Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Leeds, Sunderland, Cambridge, Richmond, Northampton, Manchester, Glasgow, Chester, Aberdeen, Shrewsbury, Sheffield, Bradford, Cardiff, Aylesbury, Southampton, Malvern and Darlington through to May 2027.
So, if Birmingham isn’t on your doorstep, don’t panic. This tour has looked at a map of Britain and thought, “Let’s just do the lot.”
I’ll be fascinated to see how audiences respond to this fresh interpretation. The original production set an extraordinarily high benchmark, but theatre only stays alive when artists are brave enough to take a few risks. Judging by this announcement, Birmingham Rep isn’t interested in playing it safe… and I rather like that
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 2026/2027 Tour
Saturday 5 – Saturday 19 September 2026
Birmingham Rep
https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 September 2026
Woking, New Victoria Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/
Tuesday 29 September – Friday 3 October 2026
Brighton, Theatre Royal
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/
Tuesday 6 – Saturday 19 October 2026
Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/
Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 October 2026
Nottingham, Theatre Royal
Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 October 2026
Leicester, Curve Theatre
Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 October 2026
York, Grand Opera House
www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/
Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 November 2026
Liverpool, Empire Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 November 2026
Wimbledon, New Wimbledon Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/
Tuesday 17 November – Saturday 21 November
Chichester Festival Theatre
Booking will open in September
Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 November 2026
Bath, Theatre Royal
Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 January 2027
Edinburgh, Festival Theatre
Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 January 2027
Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre
Tuesday 26 January – Saturday 30 January
Leeds Playhouse
Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 February 2027
Sunderland, Empire Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire
Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 February 2027
Cambridge, Arts Theatre
Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 February 2027
Richmond, Richmond Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre
Tuesday 22 – Saturday 27 February 2027
Northampton, Derngate Theatre
Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 March 2027
Manchester, Opera House
www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester
Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 March 2027
Glasgow, Theatre Royal
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow
Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 March 2027
Chester, Storyhouse Theatre
Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 March 2027
Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre
Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 April 2027
Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn
Tuesday 13 April – Saturday 17 April
Sheffield Lyceum
Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 April 2027
Bradford, Alhambra Theatre
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on
Tuesday 27 April – Saturday 1 May 2027
Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre
Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 May 2027
Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre
Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 May 2027
Southampton, Mayflower Theatre
Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 May 2027
Malvern, Malvern Theatre
Tuesday 25 – Saturday 28 May 2027
Darlington, Hippodrome Theatre
www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
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