Video summary
An insight into this theatrical form and an explanation of how it was used in 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.
Scott Graham from theatre company Frantic Assembly explains physical theatre as a dynamic way of exploring the subtext of a story, including a range of body language, choreography and dance.
Footage from the National Theatre’s production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' in performance and rehearsal along with interviews with the cast and creative team explore how physical theatre can be used to tell a story.
This short film is from the 鶹Լ series, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: From Page to Stage, made in collaboration with the National Theatre.
It explores how Mark Haddon’s much-loved novel became a multi-award-winning theatre production.
Interviews with the playwright, director and cast and footage from both rehearsal and performance reveal the process of bringing the story alive on stage.
Teacher Notes
This short film provides a useful introduction to physical theatre and how it can be used in performance.
If studying the play as a set text, students could be encouraged to explore how the scenes were created in performance.
This short film could be used to prompt ideas on how the scene of Christopher travelling can be performed.
If analysing the play as a piece of live theatre, students could be tasked with analysing the use of movement and physical theatre in the performance.
This short film is suitable for teaching GCSE English literature and drama in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 5 in Scotland.
Creating Atmosphere. video
Through interviews with the director and designers, we learn how projection, lighting and sound come together to create atmosphere in the production.
Creating Comedy and Tension. video
The cast and creative team explore how they created moments of comedy and tension in the play.
Design Elements. video
A look at how the highly stylised set of the play was designed, featuring interviews with the director and designers.
Ensemble Acting. video
The cast and creative team give us an insight into the use of ensemble acting, where a small group of actors play a large number of different parts.
Adapting a Novel for Theatre. video
Playwright Simon Stephens explains the strategies he used in adapting the story of Mark Haddon’s novel into a script for his production at the National Theatre.
Christopher and his Dad. video
An exploration of the relationship between Christopher Boone and his Dad, Ed Boone, using footage from the original National Theatre production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.
Christopher and his Mum. video
A look at the relationship between Christopher Boone and his Mum, Judy, through interviews with the actors and footage from the National Theatre production.
Christopher and Siobhan. video
A look at the relationship between the characters of Christopher Boone and his teacher, Siobhan, played by Niamh Cusack in the National Theatre production.
Themes. video
Playwright Simon Stephens explains the themes of the novel and play; family, love, honesty and truthfulness.
Who is Christopher Boone? video
An exploration of the character Christopher Boone, from the actor and director who originated the role in the National Theatre production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.
