An award winning play by the National Theatre has been adapted specifically for children and will be performed in schools in Dagenham and Havering.
In partnership with the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch, the National Theatre’s play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time will be performed in schools across East London.
The 12-week tour forms part of the National Theatre’s drive to introduce new audiences to theatre.
The play will be performed at Eastbrook School in Dagenham, Hall Mead School in Cranham, Harris Academy Rainham, Hornchurch High School, Marshalls Park Academy in Romford, Royal Liberty School in Romford, Sanders School in Hornchurch and The Brittons Academy in Rainham.
Julie Bishop, head of vocation at Eastbrook Secondary School, Dagenham said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for the students and being able to work with the National Theatre as they tour with the show Curious Incident is amazing and I know that our students will gain so much from this.”
Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time is adpated by playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott.
The play tells the story of Christopher John Francis Boone who is under suspicion for killing Mrs Shears’ dog.
Christopher has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret every day life.
His detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.
Simon’s adaption is a set text for GCSE English Literature.
The playwright said: “It means the world to me that Curious Incident will be touring schools around the country.
“I worked as a schoolteacher teaching kids in Dagenham in Essex 20 years ago. I loved it.
“I still think of myself as a teacher. I have seen firsthand how inspiring drama is to young people in schools.”
The schools tour is a 90 minute version of the play and will be followed by a Q&A session for students with the company.
“I believe the arts to be fundamental to our society. We can’t afford to lose them from our education system,” added Simon.
“The play is designed to provoke and inspire imagination and interpretation in its staging and inspiration in its audience.
“The tour will, I hope, provide the same kind of imagination and inspiration throughout the country.”
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