The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time - Altrincham Garrick

JUST imagine what it must feel like to live in a world that seems scary and confusing, everyday situations are an ordeal, including managing your emotions and understanding the actions of others around you.

So it is with Christopher, the central character in a play that is as moving as it is funny and as heart rending as it is heart warming.

Christopher is autistic and stands accused of killing his neighbour’s pet dog. If this 15 year old doesn’t have enough to contend with, his parents marriage has broken up and he’s being brought up by an ultimately loving dad trying hard to raise a son with a challenging condition.

This production is being staged by the Garrick Ensemble, a group of hugely talented 18-30 year old actors who left me feeling without doubt this theatre’s future is very bright indeed.

Charlie Gallagher as Christopher gives his best performance to date for me, delivering a performance that is of a professional standard.

He ensures we ache for a happy ending for his character without seeming to play on the audience’s emotions and there’s an authentic and engaging bond between him and Loui Quelcutti and Rachel Jacquest as his estranged mum and dad, Ed and Judy.

Christopher also just happens to be a Maths genius and his dream is to sit the A level exam despite his tender teenage years.

I am sure director Joe Meighan - or is it Joseph these days? - never wanted the rehearsals to end because of the rich vein of talent at his disposal which he uses to treat theatregoers to a production that’s far better and far more uplifting than the one I saw a few years ago in Manchester.

The partial standing ovation was richly deserved as was the storm of applause that swept through the auditorium and came seriously close to lifting the theatre’s roof off at the end.

A high water mark this, for Altrincham Garrick and amateur theatre in general.

Until February 9. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo - Martin Ogden,