In playing a youth on the autism spectrum, Sudbury actor Colton Gobbo went the extra mile to ensure an authentic portrayal of Christopher Boone in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
He visited a couple of classes with children who have exceptionalities and met with autism consultants.
“It was a massive, massive learning experience,” Gobbo said. “We wanted to make sure it was done in the most respectful way. We never wanted to make anyone feel uncomfortable. We wanted to make sure it was all done properly, and healthily. And so I feel like the final results accomplish that, which is a huge breath of relief.”
Gobbo is the lead in STC/YES Theatre’s production of “Curious Incident,” which runs at Sudbury Theatre Centre from Oct. 20 to Nov. 5.
The award-winning play is based on the 2003 mystery novel of the same name by Mark Haddon, adapted to the stage in 2012 by Simon Stephens.
The synopsis is as follows: Christopher, 15 years old, stands beside Mrs. Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion.
He records each fact in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at math, while everyday life presents some barriers.
He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour’s dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.
“Christopher Boone, he's a young 15-year-old boy with one of the most brilliant minds in any theatre production, I would say,” said Gobbo.
“He's very sweet. He's a very determined kid. He's obsessed with Sherlock (Holmes). He loves figuring things out. And he's very, very factual, and sees the world so much differently from the people around him.
“The whole story is about him manoeuvring that. The lovely thing about it is that through the whole show, you're seeing the world through his lens instead of someone else's lens looking in on him. So you kind of get an idea of how his brain works. And I adore this little guy.”
Gobbo added that Christopher loves puzzles and is a “puzzle in and of himself.”
Ruthie Nkut, associate artistic director with STC/YES Theatre, raves about “Curious Incident,” calling it “one of the best plays ever written.”
“We wanted to pick something in our programming that would be really great for young people, a good way to start to create a relationship for young people with theatre in a different way, that's not musical theatre,” Nkut said.
“This show specifically is representative of a community that is actually very underrepresented in theatre and art.”
Deborah Drakeford plays Christopher’s mother, Judy Boone. It’s a role for which she’s well suited, given her real-life similarities to the character.
“I am also a mom in my real life, and I have a son who is neurodivergent, not certainly not to the same extent as Christopher at all, but there are similarities,” said the actress, who grew up in nearby Espanola, but now lives in Toronto.
“It didn’t take a long time to figure out those moments of feeling like I don't know what to do for you, I don't know how to help you, to be a fierce Mama Bear, and don't you dare hurt my child. In that way, the emotional journey of it is easy to access.”
Drakeford said “Curious Incident” is a “very beautiful script. I think it's a very beautiful story about love and redemption and trust. It is a coming of age story for this incredible young person. It's a story of how this young person is actually teaching all the adults around him.”
Marcia Johnson, also of Toronto, plays Christopher’s teacher, Siobhan. She said has friends who have children on the autism spectrum.
“Anyone who's out there trying their best, I have so much empathy for, and I think people watching this will hopefully have a better understanding of what it's like to live with it, either as someone who has the disorder, and or someone who's raising our loved ones,” she said.
The Sudbury production of “Curious Incident” is directed by Jeannette Labermont-Morey, and, as mentioned above, features Gobbo as Christopher Boone, Johnson as Siobhan and Drakeford as Judy Boone, as well as Jeff Miller as Ed Boone.
Katie Wise, Joema Frith, Adriano Reis, Max Cull, Karly Friesen and Heleene Lohan Cameron round out the cast as Voice 1 through 6.
Tickets to the show can be purchased online here.
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.