SIMON Stephens’ play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time has been hailed as the most popular murder mystery of the 21st century. Now the play comes to Strode Theatre in Street in a production by Street Theatre, from 18th to 21st March.

Based on Mark Haddon’s novel of the same name, it’s a very modern look at a classic whodunnit, with an autistic teenager at its heart. Christopher, a maths genius whose interactions with his peers are complicated, notices something strange in the garden one night. He is a details person, and he brings forensic rigour to his recollections, finally unravelling the intricate web that surrounds the Curious Incident.

The Street production is directed by the multi-talented Jane Sayer, who also co-ordinates the movement and has taken part in the designs of both the set (with Jack Sayer) and the soundsacpe, with Tom Davies. James Linham is in charge of the all important lighting plot.

Christopher is played by Ed Boulton-Roberts, with Nicky Hann as his mentor Siobhan and Rob Prince and Eliane Morgan as his parents, Ed and Judy. An ensemble of six – Romy Badman-King, Lydia Grant, Lee Housley, Jonathan Sansam, Allie White and Gill Williams – voice 26 characters between them.

The play is a fascinating challenge both for the detectives in the audience and the technical staff of the theatre as the story unfolds in its hi-tech world, always viewed through the eyes of the remarkable central character.