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Behind the Curtain: An Interview with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time star Alex Keenan
In this Behind the Curtain interview we speak to Alex Keenan, currently making her professional debut playing Chris Boone in the brand-new reimagined co-production between The Birmingham Rep and Melting Pot of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time ahead of the shows official opening night at The Birmingham Rep before heading out on major UK and Ireland tour.
In your own words how would you describe The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time?
Chris, an autistic teenage girl, launches an investigation into the murder of her neighbour’s dog, only to end up uncovering some buried truths about her family, and we follow her as she goes on a journey of self-discovery and of re-lensing the world, and her place in it, as she has always known it.
You are the first woman to play the role of Chris Boone. How do you think the role switch brings what is described as “a fresh perspective to one of contemporary theatre’s most iconic characters”?
I think it will simply bring to light the fact that women and girls have autism too, which of course sounds obvious, but the fact is that it doesn’t get anywhere near the same level of coverage as the experience of our counterparts, and is widely misunderstood and therefore under-diagnosed. While Chris may present rather stereotypically autistic, having the lead now be a female will hopefully instigate the same level of discussion about women on the Spectrum, wherever they may be and however it may present, as it did for men and boys with the original version.
The writer Simon Stephens and our director Ned Bennet have worked together, alongside the production’s consultant Sarah Jane Nutall, to edit the text to reflect the change in gender & the respective adjustment to Chris’s ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) traits.
The show first premiered in 2012 at the National Theatre, and has been seen by millions globally, why do you think the show is popular with audiences around the world?
I think it's largely thanks to the popularity of the source material, Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel by the same name. The themes of the book resonated with so many people; be it the exploration of neurodiversity, adolescence or the complexity of parenthood, that readers were inevitably keen to engage with the adaptation, and were also simply interested to see how the world as depicted on the page would translate to the stage. And Simon Stephens’ script, the creative team’s vision and the actors’ performances were so skilfully crafted that the play was of course a hit too. I’m hopeful that our new version will resonate with audiences just as strongly.
This is your professional debut, how does it feel to make your debut in such a beloved play?
I can’t quite believe my luck. Chris is such a joy to play, and I’m honoured to have been trusted to take her on. Ned, the cast and the whole creative team have truly made this a dream experience so far, and I’m beyond excited for what’s to come.
I also feel very strongly about community building and access to the arts, so being able to take such an important show to all corners of the UK, where tickets are (hopefully) more affordable, fills me with a lot of joy.
Can you tell us about your first experience of theatre?
My first experience of theatre was actually quite a funny one. It was the summer of 2008, and I was at The Bernie Grant Arts Centre watching my brothers perform in a Haringey Shed event, and Sue Johnston was hosting it. In community spirit, Sue began a chant similar to Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We can’ one, and for some reason my ‘Yes We Can’s grew increasingly impassioned, so much so that the audience couldn’t stop laughing, and I ended up having a one-on-one call and response situation with Sue Johnston. Pretty cool. I ended up meeting her after and getting my photo taken with her. I'll need to find it!
You trained at LAMDA and The Dance School of Scotland, for those heading to drama school this year what would your advice be?
My key pieces of advice would be:
Don’t end game the course. Take it project by project. Trust that you’ll be absorbing & improving continuously.
Embrace the ensemble. You all have your own things to offer, so uplift each other. They’re your family, not your competitors!
Bring your best self to every session & rehearsal. There’s going to be difficult moments, but just remember how much you wanted this training.
Take the work seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously.
What have you found the hardest in rehearsals and how has that helped you develop your performance?
This might sound like a cop out, but it’s true - I’ve genuinely found this to be the smoothest of processes. Partly because I feel like I really understand Chris, but also just because when the writing, directing and designing are as good as they are here, and when your cast mates are as friendly and collaborative as mine are, the job’s done for you. I’m of course still working hard, and will undoubtedly face obstacles in the future but, for now, I can’t say I’ve found any elements of this process to be hard!
Why should people come and see the show?
I’m of course bias, but I really think that this production is going to be special, and will resonate with audiences across the country. Whether you’re an avid fan of the book, or know nothing about it, whether you’re up for a laugh or down to be moved, I think this show is for everyone. It’s witty, it’s empowering and in an age where hope can feel rationed, this play has it in abundance.
The production’s fresh take on the play not only lies in the gender swap, but also in the world of the play being completely reimagined, through both the design and the storytelling. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll just say that this production leans into the play within a play element of Stephens’ adaption, and therefore gives Chris the upmost agency in sharing her story… It’s also worth mentioning that the team have endeavoured to make this production as sensory friendly as possible. So, if people were lucky enough to see the last production, and therefore weren't planning to see this one, I’d urge them to come.
What are you most looking forward to when touring the show?
A few things! Getting to see parts of the UK I’ve never been to before.
Making great memories with my castmates & crew. Meeting new people - and hopefully audience members that have enjoyed the show! And of course, getting to work on some iconic stages.
How would you describe the show in 3 words or one sentence?
It’s as hilarious as it is heartfelt and it serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion & community.
You can catch The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at The Birmingham Rep Theatre from Friday 11th of September - Saturday 19th of September before it heads out on a UK tour until May 2027:
