Simon Stephens' adaptation is a life-affirming and unmissable’ smash-hit production bringing Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to thrilling life on stage.

Christopher, fifteen years old, stands beside 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 the book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington.

He has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at maths, while everyday life presents some barriers. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour’s dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.

Reviews of the Play

"This adaptation by the acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens is intensely, innately theatrical; it is also funny and extremely moving."
Laura Thompson for The Daily Telegraph

"a highly skilful adaptation... as Christopher's parents movingly remind us of the messily contradictory human emotions that co-exist with their son's world of perfect patterns." Michael Billington for The Guardian.

"This is a profoundly moving play about adolescence, fractured families, mathematics, colours and lights." Michael Coveney for The Independent

EDI Assessment

In line with our EDI policy, we undertake an EDI impact assessment of all our artistic programming. This play has a central diversity message exploring the experiences of a young neurodivergent person as they interact with the people and the world around them. In alignment with the novel, the individual cast as the central character of Christopher should be able to convincingly play a male-presenting person of 15 years old. On the character notes, there are indications where specific playing gender identifications are called for, however most characters can be cast completely neutrally with regard to gender/gender identity, ethnicity, age and disability.