following a successful run in Mumbai, Aadyam Theatre—an initiative of the Aditya Birla Group—has returned to 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, on January 11 and 12.
Directed by Atul Kumar, the play reimagines Haddon’s celebrated work within an Indian context. Originally adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens, the production highlights themes of human spirit and resilience.
The story centres 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 is not only about solving the mystery but also explores Boone’s unique world and his interactions with it, both externally and internally.
Speaking to FE, Kumar explains: “The play isn’t just about a boy with Asperger’s syndrome, but also about a boy who is considered different by neurotypical people. Despite this difference, he finds his place in society. He realises that he sees the world in his own way, and within that difference, he achieves his hopes and dreams.”
“The play is ultimately about human achievement against all odds. This philosophy runs through every line as the character struggles his way through page one to the last page,” Kumar adds.
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 emphasises that he wanted to avoid presenting the protagonist as a mere caricature. “We asked Dheer Hira to bring his authentic self to the role, to navigate the character’s complex emotions and situations. There was a time when autism was often depicted as a caricature, but we wanted a more nuanced portrayal.”
“The audience—especially those familiar with the book—will ultimately decide if we’ve done justice to the source material. We received both positive and critical feedback from our Mumbai run, and we’ve worked hard to refine the production based on those critiques,” he adds.
The play is an exploratory tale of not just solving this mystery of the wicked act but also knowing about Christopher’s world that he inhabits and how he interacts with this world around and within.
The seventh season of Aadyam Theatre, which will run until September, will feature 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 suspenseful drama blending imagination and reality, directed by Shubhro Jyot Barat; Do Deewaney, an adaptation of Dostoevsky’s White Nights exploring love and hope, directed by Purva Naresh; and Mumbai Star, a dance musical directed by Nadir Khan.
