MUSIC OWL AWARDS: 5th – book or play; 4th – direction; 4th – to go to with family; 2nd – staging

When I went: 23 February 2015

Music Owl Hoot rating: 5/5

Location: Gielgud Theatre, London

Performers: Luke Treadaway (Christopher), Nicola Walker (Judy), Paul Ritter (Ed), Una Stubbs (Mrs. Alexander), Niamh Cusack (Siobhan)

Creative team: Mark Haddon (novel), Simon Stephens (playwright / adaptation), Marianne Elliott (director), Bunny Christie (set designer)

Approximate price: £60

Special points: Staging

Best bit: Denouement

If I could change one thing: Cheaper so more people can go

Review:

The play:

I always like Mark Haddon’s novel, and Simon Stephens’ adaptation manages to be faithful to the book while transforming the story to fit the stage. Bunny Christie’s set design is so good that you get completely immersed in the plot but you still have room to appreciate and root for Christopher’s journey as an adolescent with Asperger’s syndrome.

This performance:

Luke Treadaway was likeable and moving as Christopher and worked especially well with Paul Ritter as Ed. The complicated staging and props all ran like clockwork and the play, although dialogue-heavy, felt like it flew by.