"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night" Needs Talent

To play a teen. An English teenager who is an outsider due to his unique perception of the world. He notices things in minute detail while having difficulty understanding social and emotional cues and empathizing with others. This lack of understanding often makes the world seem frustrating and frightening to him, and he can become agitated and even violent when he has to deal with too many overwhelming external stimuli.

Christopher’s father. He is estranged from his wife, Judy and struggling as a single parent trying to raise his son the best he can. Ed loves his son deeply, is a good man but has trouble communicating with Christopher, who often frustrates him.

Christopher’s mother, she is estranged from her husband, Ed after having an affair with her neighbor Roger. She wishes she knew how to truly reach and care for Christopher. She is feisty, loving and has felt very alone in her situation with her son.

Christopher’s teacher and mentor, she is the only person in Christopher’s life with an understanding of his situation. She often serves as the narrator of Christopher’s story, his feelings and is sensitive to his strained relationship with his father.

MRS SHEARS: Roger’s ex-wife and Christopher’s neighbor. She is furious at the world as a result of being betrayed and abandoned by her husband. It is her dog, Wellington that was found killed in the night. MRS GASCOYNE: The headmistress of the school for “special needs” children that Christopher attends. Condescending and lacking in sensitivity, nuance and imagination.

ROGER SHEARS: Mrs. Shears ex-husband. A middle class man who works at a bank. Has left his wife as a result of his relationship with Judy. Doesn’t have a clue or any interest in understanding Christopher. DUTY SERGEANT: A local Swindon desk sergeant (policeman) who releases Christopher to Ed’s custody after Christopher’s been arrested.

One of Christopher’s neighbors. She is kind, and so hungry for a connection with Christopher that she tries to help him and ultimately reveals information to him about his mother that he did not know.

REVEREND PETERS: A vicar, pleasant enough, tries to answer Christopher’s questions about religion and is later tasked with supervising Christopher during a test. STATION POLICEMAN: A Swindon policeman who gets stuck on a train to London while trying to convince Christopher to get off the train. Easily outsmarted by Christopher.

POLICEMAN: A Swindon policeman who arrests Christopher after Christopher hits him while being questioned about the death of Wellington, the dog. MR. THOMPSON: A neighbor that Christopher interviews during his investigation of who killed Wellington, the dog. Doesn’t have patience for Christopher’s line of questioning. MAN WITH SOCKS: A guy waiting for the tube in London who suddenly has to help convince Christopher to get up from the train tracks.

NO. 40: A woman who is a neighbor of Christopher’s who he interviews during his investigation of who killed Wellington the dog. INFORMATION: A busy information clerk in a London Railroad Station who Christopher asks for directions. PUNK GIRL: A young woman in the tube station who tries to help Christopher. English accents appropriate to class. Any ethnicity. Actor must be strong, fit and agile.