Last year we had the chance to enjoy a moving musical at the iconic Teatro Maipo: “Come From Away”, adapted and directed by Carla Calabrese at the helm of “The Stage Company”. Today, in that same beautiful venue, this company –a true “Dream Team”- is dazzling audiences with another unmissable production: “The curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, written by Simon Stephens and based on the novel by Mark Haddon. The play won numerous awards when it premiered in London in 2003, and many more on Broadway years later. Calabrese is once again the adapter and director of the local version.
Where to begin? The protagonist is “Chris” (Iñaki Aldao),a 15-year-old teenager who possesses a hypersensitivity that makes him different. Although this is not spelled out explicitly in the play, Chris comes across as a young man with autism, a condition we have been becoming more and more familiar with in recent times.
While Chris has astonishing intelligence and a prodigious memory, his ability to relate to the world is very limited, almost non-existent. He attends a special school, avoids any kind of physical contact, cannot tolerate loud noises or screaming, and does not know how to manage on his own. He lives with his parents and spends time reading Sherlock Holmes’ detective novels, gazing at the night sky, assembling and disassembling intricate mechanisms, and solving extremely complicated mathematical calculations. His best and only friend is his pet rat. Something unexpected happens in his neighborhood that abruptly throws him out of his protected and safe routine. His neighbor’s dog appears dead, and not of natural causes. Someone has killed it. Chris sets out-like a detective- to find the killer.
This trigger will change his life forever. Not only will he discover the identity of the person who killed the dog, but-almost by chance- he will also learn some dark and hidden details about his parents’ relationship, which is far from the story his father tried hard to make him believe. Although the process is painful, Chris grows thanks to this experience and gains a certain independence. His eventful escape to London becomes a kind of initiatory journey toward maturity.
Iñaki Aldao’s performance is certainly outstanding. His Christopher is anthological and hypnotic. A masterpiece, with a very difficult text and extremely demanding physical and vocal work. Master of a gestural and body language rich in nuances, Aldao clearly conveys the inner world of his character, his thoughts, his anguish, his existential dilemma. It is impossible not to empathize with him, not to want to hug him (even though Chris would not allow it). He opens the doors wide to an unknown world, and teaches us to recognize and respect so many other children with that condition. Aldao shines with his own light.
Carla Calabrese’s staging (just as in the memorable “Come From Away”) spares no scenic resources to captivate and hold the spectator’s attention from beginning to end. The empty space fills with images thanks to sophisticated mapping and visual and sound effects. The revolving platform adds a great deal. Calabrese also plays an important acting role. She is “Siobhan”, the narrator of the story and Christopher’s teacher and guide. The bond between them is certainly endearing.
The cast of “The curious incident…” is large and versatile. All the actresses and actors- who take on multiple roles- shine alike in brilliant performances. Mela Lenoir is “Judy”, the mother; Andrés Bagg, the father; Silvana Tomé the school principal and Mrs Shears; Graciela Pafundi, the neighbor; Bruno Pediconi, “Roger”; Pablo Sultani, the uncle and railway police officer. They are joined by a dozen more who take part in various scenes: Gabriela Bevacqua, Gabriel Machado, Patricio González Ericcson, Theo Piñeyro, Carlos Simón, Nicolás Sousa, Matías Albizzatti, Fede Fedele; swings: Lali Vidal, Tomás Albertoni. At times it feels like you are watching a ballet with precise, attractive and colorful choreography.
Although the tone of “The Curious Incident …” is far from comic, Carla Calabrese succeeds in dosing humor and drama in fair proportions, avoiding any cliché or commonplace. The result is moving. The audience gives a standing ovation to so much talent and dedication. Full house. Mission accomplished.
Translation: Martín Morgenfeld. Spanish adaptation and overall direction: Carla Calabrese. Original music: Javier Giménez Zapiola. Costumes: Marcela Domínguez. Stage and wigs assistant: Guillermo Parra. Art direction and set design: Tadeo Jones. Audiovisual projection design and video design: Giselle Hauscarriaga. Video production team: Giselle Hauscarriaga and Damián Patrignani. Live video operation: Danae Pienica and Bianca Leveroni Torres. Lighting: Gonzalo González. Lighting operator: Ignacio Velino. Sound: Eugenio Mellano Lanfranco. Sound operator: Manuel Saldanio. Stagehands: Gustavo Ruiz and Aldo Durán. Microphone operators: Guillermo Perulan and Cristian Belvedere. Choreography: Agustín Pérez Costa. Flying: Enrique Carpintero. Follow-spot operators: Abril Rodríguez Genovese and Marcelo Arregin. Stage Manager: Javier Maceroni. Assistant Director: Lali Vidal. Production direction: Sergio Albertoni. Press: Alejandro Veroutis. Venue: Teatro Maipo, Esmeralda 443, CABA. Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 8.00 pm; Sundays at 7.oo pm. Running time: 110 minutes, with intermission.
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”: an essential proposal on the Buenos Aires theater scene. A must see play.