The Curious World of Christopher Boone, Belvoir St Theatre

Fifteen-year-old Christopher loves prime numbers, hates being touched, and has never walked past the end of his street alone. He is shocked to find his neighbor's dog, Wellington, dead in the garden – stabbed to death with a garden fork. When his neighbor, Mrs. Shears, wakes up to find Christopher kneeling next to Wellington's body, he becomes the prime suspect in the murder. Accompanied by his pet rat, Toby, Christopher sets off on a “detective journey” to solve the mystery himself and set the record straight. But his investigation leads him to more revelations than he expected – and takes him far beyond the end of his street.

Under Hannah Goodwin’s careful direction, Simon Stephens’ adaptation of The Curious World of Christopher Boone is brought to life on the Belvoir Street stage. In his Belvoir debut, Daniel R. Nixon delivers a stunning performance. Informed by his own life experience as a neurodiverse actor, Nixon's portrayal of Christopher immediately captivates audiences with childlike wonder and shows an undeniable range and versatility in his nuances.

Christopher's journey is supported by a sharp ensemble cast that often embodies the whimsical and joyful inner workings of Christopher's mind. Led by choreographer Elle Evangelista and movement directors Tim Dashwood and Nigel Poulton, the cast unites in a larger-than-life amplification of Christopher's journey. While this exaggeration sometimes distracts from the more intimate elements of the story and prevents the audience from fully engaging with Christopher's reality, Zoë Atkinson's minimalist set provides the necessary foundation.

Without access to large-scale production elements, the audience must take a leap of imagination to keep up with Christopher's auspicious endeavor. While this leap feels somewhat forced, the clever use of chalk throughout the piece helps visually delineate the various locations and themes of Christopher's story.

The character work is tactful, with the performances of Brigid Zengeni and Matilda Ridgway particularly standing out. Zengeni plays both the story's narrator and Christopher's teacher and staunch supporter, Siobhan, and draws the audience in with her gentle humility. Ridgway's portrayal of Christopher's estranged mother (who Christopher had believed to be dead) is both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Brandon McClelland is touching in his portrayal of Christopher's complex but reliable father, while Ariadne Sgouros brings quick wit and lighthearted comedy as Mrs. Shears. Tracy Mann is engaging and lovable as Mrs. Alexander, and Nicholas Brown and Roy Joseph complete the ensemble with tireless energy and skill.

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Despite the whimsical and fantastical elements that permeate the whole piece, The Curious World of Christopher Boone is a story about family, connection and self-discovery. It is an enchanting evening of theatre and a necessary celebration of individuality.

The Curious World of Christopher Boone by Mark Haddon
Belvoir St Theatre
Editor: Simon Stephens
Director: Hannah Goodwin
Assistant Director: Margaret Thanos
Set and costume designer: Zoë Atkinson
Lighting Designer: Kelsey Lee
Composer and sound designer: Alyx Dennison
Choreographer: Elle Evangelista
Movement Directors: Tim Dashwood and Nigel Poulton
Puppetry Director: Alice Osborne
Singing teacher: Laura Farrell
Stage Manager: Luke Mcgettigan
Assistant Stage Manager: Zoe Davis
Access Coordinator: Sarah Carroll
Cast: Daniel R. Nixon, Nicholas Brown, Roy Joseph, Tracy Mann, Brandon McClelland, Matilda Ridgway, Ariadne Sgouros, Brigid Zengeni

Tickets: $39–95

The Curious World of Christopher Boone will run until September 22, 2024.