Normally I come up with my own titles for my posts, but the name of this play is so original, anything on my part would be redundant.
When I saw it last year in New York, it had already been running for 11 months. I didn’t blog about it because it was just so good, I couldn’t think of anything profound to say.
When I was back in New York City last month, I noticed it was still going. Normally, it’s musicals that get this sort of run.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time did contain music, and indeed, a CD of it was available for sale in the theatre. It also had the sorts of flashy effects that are often found in musicals. But at its heart were the elements of what made a good play 100 years ago: a strong script and outstanding central performance.
I am a little cynical about awards. This is partly because the last thing I ever won was the Year Twelve History Prize at school, and I’ve just had my thirtieth year reunion. But there’s often snobbery in the choices made. American Beauty was a serious drama that won 1999’s Best Picture Oscar, but American Pie, released in the same year, was much more entertaining.
But The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was worthy of being the Tony winner it is.
The play closed in New York this month, but it’s still going in London, despite a theatre’s roof collapsing. See it if you can.
