Star names for Curious Incident UK tour

Charlie Brooks and Joe McFadden in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

EastEnder Charlie Brooks (best known for her long-running role as Janine Butcher in the soap) and Joe McFadden (The Crow Road, Holby City, Heartbeat and Strictly Come Dancing winner) will play parents Judy and Ed in the new UK tour of multi-award-winning hit play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Northern dates include York Grand Opera House (October 27-31) and Liverpool Empire (November 3-7), Leeds Playhouse (January 26-30); Sunderland Empire (February 2-6, 2027); Manchester Opera House (March 2-6), Storyhouse, Chester (March 16-20), Sheffield Lyceum (April 13-17), Bradford Alhambra (April 20-24) and Darlington Hippodrome (May 25-28).

Opening in Birmingham in September before the tour, Curious Incident is adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel by acclaimed Stockport-born playwright, Simon Stephens.

Chris Boone is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers, but is unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, Chris comes under suspicion. Determined to prove his innocence, he becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue uncovered.

Charlie Brooks says, “I am thrilled to be part of this new production, having been a huge fan of the book and Simon Stephens’ adaptation. Working alongside such a talented cast and creative team has been both inspiring and rewarding.”

Joe McFadden added: “I loved the book and was completely blown away by the stage production in the West End, so I’m thrilled to be playing Ed in this new tour.”

Director Ned Bennett said: “Mark Haddon’s compassionate and extraordinary novel, and Simon Stephens’ moving, inventive, and imaginative adaptation, combine to create a complex play with remarkable emotional precision."

More info and tickets here