Charlie Brooks and Joe McFadden to lead Curious Incident tour

EastEnders star Charlie Brooks and Joe McFadden are to star in a UK tour of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Brooks, best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders, and McFadden, whose screen credits include Holby City and Heartbeat, will play Judy and Ed Boone in the production, adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s bestselling 2003 novel.

Directed by Ned Bennett, the production begins performances in Birmingham on 5th September before embarking on a large tour running through to May 2027.

The story follows Christopher Boone, a mathematically gifted teenager who launches an investigation after discovering a neighbour’s dog has been killed. 

Brooks said she was “a huge fan of the book and Stephens’ adaptation”, adding that she was excited for audiences to experience “the heart, humour and humanity at the centre of this remarkable play”.

McFadden said he was “completely blown away” by the original West End production and described the play as “brilliant, moving and uplifting”.

Stephens’ stage adaptation premiered at the National Theatre in 2012.

The original production won seven Olivier awards in 2013, including best new play, while its 2014 Broadway transfer received five Tony awards, including best play.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time tour will be produced by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep, with full casting and creative team details still to be announced.