Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep will co-produce a brand-new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted by acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Ned Bennett.
Based on Mark Haddon’s internationally celebrated novel, the production will open at Birmingham Rep in September 2026 before embarking on a major UK tour.
Tour stops include Woking’s New Victoria Theatre (22–26 September), Brighton’s Theatre Royal (29 September–3 October), Milton Keynes Theatre (6–19 October), Nottingham’s Theatre Royal (13–17 October), Leicester’s Curve Theatre (20–24 October), York’s Grand Opera House (27–31 October), Liverpool’s Empire Theatre (3–7 November), and Bath’s Theatre Royal (24–28 November). Further 2027 dates are to be announced.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time follows Christopher Boone, a teenager with a brilliant mind for numbers but who struggles with everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is found dead, Christopher sets out to solve the mystery, uncovering secrets that challenge his understanding of trust, independence, and family.
Inventive, gripping, and moving, the play combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story.
‘Crowd-Pleasing, Life-Affirming And Unmissable’ – The Times
Playwright Simon Stephens said:
“The journey of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been an extraordinary adventure. It has taken me all over the world. From church halls to enormous auditoria. From school drama clubs to Wembley Way. I am thrilled that Christopher Boone is about to head out again through the United Kingdom. He is a boy defined by his determination and his bravery. This feels like a time when those characteristics are more urgently needed than ever. Ned Bennett is a brilliant director. I have wanted to work with him for years. I couldn’t have been happier that it is Ned who will reimagine my play for the 2020s.”
Director Ned Bennett added:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be directing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Mark Haddon’s beautiful story is uniquely tender and mischievous — a celebration of courage and imagination. It’s a real privilege to collaborate with Simon Stephens on his iconic play, which so brilliantly balances an exquisite character study with a thrilling sense of theatrical adventure. I’m tremendously excited to work with the teams at Melting Pot and the Birmingham Rep to bring this groundbreaking play vividly to life on stage once again. The original production was an utterly extraordinary landmark theatrical event, it’s incredibly exciting and an honour to contribute to the next chapter of this story’s journey.”
Producer Simon Friend said:
“I read Mark Haddon’s novel when it was first published, and like most others, immediately fell in love with it. Had the National Theatre not got there first, I’d have been knocking on his door! But Simon’s play is so exquisite, so theatrical, so deeply exciting and moving in equal measure for audiences young and old, that we’re extremely honoured to be producing its first new production since that landmark event, and aim to live up to its legacy in a bold new take by the tremendously talented director Ned Bennett.”
Joe Murphy, Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, commented:
“We’re delighted to be co-producing this powerful new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time — a story that continues to challenge, move, and inspire audiences. At The Rep, we’re passionate about telling stories that reflect the complexity and brilliance of the world around us, and this production does just that. It’s inventive, full of heart, and speaks to the power of seeing the world differently. We’re proud to bring this vital work to audiences here in Birmingham and beyond.”
Full casting and creative team will be announced in due course.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
