after a successful run in Mumbai, Aadyam Theatre, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Group, is back in the national capital with its seventh edition, beginning with an adaptation of Mark Haddon’s acclaimed novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. , January 11 and 12.
Directed by Atul Kumar, the play reimagines Haddon’s famous work in an Indian context. Originally adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens, the production highlights themes of the human spirit and resilience.
The story centers on Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome, who embarks on a mission to uncover the truth behind the death of Mrs. Pinto’s dog. The narrative not only aims to solve the mystery, but also explores Boone’s unique world and his interactions with it, both externally and internally.
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Speaking to FE, Kumar explains: “The play is not just about a boy with Asperger’s syndrome, but also about a boy who is seen as different by neurotypical people. Despite this difference, he finds his place in society. He realizes that he sees the world in his own way, and in this difference he realizes his hopes and dreams.
“The play is ultimately about human achievement against all odds. This philosophy is reflected in every line as the character makes his way from the first to the last page,” adds Kumar.
The production features an ensemble cast, with Dheer Hira playing the lead role. Other prominent actors include Jaimini Pathak, Dilnaz Irani, Shivani Tanksale, Salone Mehta, Harssh Singh, Vidushi Chadha and Abhay Kaul.
Kumar emphasizes that he wanted to avoid presenting the protagonist as a mere caricature. “We asked Dheer Hira to bring authenticity to the role, navigating the character’s complex emotions and situations. There was a time when autism was often presented as a caricature, but we wanted a more nuanced representation.
“The public, especially those familiar with the book, will ultimately decide whether we have done justice to the source material. We received both positive and critical feedback on our Mumbai tour, and we worked hard to refine the production based on these reviews,” he adds.
The play is an exploratory narrative aimed at not only solving this mystery of the wicked act, but also learning about Christopher’s world that he inhabits and how he interacts with that world around and within him.
The seventh season of Aadyam Theatre, which runs until September, will present five distinct plays, each offering a unique perspective and theme. These include The Horse, a political comedy set in ancient Rome, by Sunil Shanbag; Sleuth, a suspense drama blending imagination and reality, directed by Shubhro Jyot Barat; Do Deewaney, an adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s White Nights exploring love and hope, directed by Purva Naresh; and Mumbai Star, a dance musical directed by Nadir Khan.
