THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OFTHE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT–TIME

WINS FIVE TONY AWARDS ON BROADWAY INCLUDING BEST NEW PLAY

 
On Tour in the UK and Ireland – coming to Mayflower Theatre from 23 June – 4 July

 The National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was one of the big winners at last night’s prestigious Tony Awards® held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York (7 June 2015), winning five awards – Best Play – Simon Stephens, Best Direction of a Play – Marianne Elliott, Best Performance by a leading Actor in a Play – Alex Sharp as Christopher Boone, Best Lighting Design of a Play – Paule Constable and Best Scenic Design of a Play – Bunny Christie and Finn Ross.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which started life at the National Theatre’s Cottesloe Theatre in 2012, transferred to the West End in 2013 (winning seven Olivier Awards) and is now simultaneously running at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End, on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and on a major tour of the UK and Ireland. 

Marianne Elliot, who won the award for Best Direction of a Play said:

‘I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured that we have won five Tony Awards, and that our show has been as embraced by audiences in New York, as it has been in London and on this amazing tour of the UK and Ireland, which has been thrilling audiences since it began late last year. When we first started working on this show we had no idea whether there would be an audience for it. We were all working outside our comfort zones, all trying to do something we believed in utterly but which meant taking risks. It was incredible to see the audience at the National Theatre, then for that to grow in to the West End. To have even the slightest idea that it would go to Broadway, let alone to win these awards is incredible”

Simon Stephens, who accepted the award for Best Play alongside the entire producing team added: ‘It’s been an incredible collaboration and the fact the show has been received this well in New York means the world to me.’

Paule Constable, who won the award for Best Lighting Design of a Play commented: ‘Winning the Tony for Best Lighting for Curious is completely overwhelming. Curious is a celebration of collaboration – between all of us as a creative team – and with the audiences and community of Broadway. The way they have taken this show to their hearts is life affirming. I am so proud of what we all achieved – of the whole company – and of all the people who convinced us that this could work and help to steer us. We had no idea we would end up here!’

Bunny Christie, who received the award for Best Scenic Design for a play, alongside fellow Scott Finn Ross said : ‘The success of this show could never have happened without the teams at The National Theatre and I am really proud of this big wonderful company.’ Finn Ross , added: ‘For the show to be taken onboard like this is an incredible honour and I am deeply touched.’

The production has been hugely successful during this year’s Broadway theatre awards season in New York, also winning 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Play and 6 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Play. 

Christopher, fifteen years old, stands besides Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It 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 murdered 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 Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, directed by Marianne Elliott, designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Paule Constable, video design by Finn Ross, movement by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph