GCSE English Literature / Drama: Christopher and Siobhan

Video summary

This short film is to support teaching around GCSE English Literature or Drama.

A look at the relationship between the characters of Christopher Boone and his teacher, Siobhan, played by Niamh Cusack in the National Theatre’s production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.

The different sides of Siobhan’s character are explored, how she sometimes interacts with Christopher and sometimes becomes the narrator by reading out extracts from Christopher’s book.

Niamh Cusack explains that at times, Siobhan ‘becomes’ Christopher, and can be seen as his soul and his imagination.

The challenges for the actor playing this multi-faceted character are explored.

This short film is from the BBC series, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: From Page to Stage, made in collaboration with the National Theatre.

It explores how Mark Haddon’s much-loved novel became a multi-award-winning theatre production.

Interviews with the playwright, director and cast and footage from both rehearsal and performance reveal the process of bringing the story alive on stage.

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Teacher Notes

When studying the novel or play as a set text, students could use this short film to explore the relationship between Christopher and Siobhan and to analyse the character of Siobhan.

Students could be encouraged to explore the key relationships in the text when studying the play as a scripted piece.

If the play is being performed, this could be used to gain insight into how to portray the relationship between Christopher and Siobhan.

When analysing the play as a piece of live theatre, students could analyse the scenes between Christopher and Siobhan and the performance of the actor playing Siobhan, examining the different aspects of Siobhan's character.

This could also be used as a talking point to encourage a wider understanding of narration in the study of theatre.

This short film is suitable for teaching GCSE English literature and drama in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 5 in Scotland.

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Through interviews with the director and designers, we learn how projection, lighting and sound come together to create atmosphere in the production.

Creating Atmosphere

The cast and creative team explore how they created moments of comedy and tension in the play.

Creating Comedy and Tension

A look at how the highly stylised set of the play was designed, featuring interviews with the director and designers.

Design Elements

The cast and creative team give us an insight into the use of ensemble acting, where a small group of actors play a large number of different parts.

Ensemble Acting

Playwright Simon Stephens explains the strategies he used in adapting the story of Mark Haddon’s novel into a script for his production at the National Theatre.

Adapting a Novel for Theatre

Scott Graham from theatre company, Frantic Assembly, explains what physical theatre is, and how it was used to create the original National Theatre production.

What is Physical Theatre?

An exploration of the relationship between Christopher Boone and his Dad, Ed Boone, using footage from the original National Theatre production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.

Christopher and his Dad

A look at the relationship between Christopher Boone and his Mum, Judy, through interviews with the actors and footage from the National Theatre production.

Christopher and his Mum

Playwright Simon Stephens explains the themes of the novel and play; family, love, honesty and truthfulness.

Themes

An exploration of the character Christopher Boone, from the actor and director who originated the role in the National Theatre production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.

Who is Christopher Boone?

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