THE wordy title is enough to pique curiosity and the performance certainly lived up to that promise – it was mesmerising, magical, surreal.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, an adaptation by Simon Stephens of Mark Haddon’s novel, has won critical acclaim since it first tread the boards and it is easy to see why.

The play opens with the protagonist, 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who has ‘behavioural problems’ – implicitly suggested to be Asperger syndrome – stooping over the dead body of neighbour’s dog Wellington. The opening scene is raw – a beloved dog impaled on a pitchfork, a flurry of expletives and an assault on a police officer.

Although it may sound shocking, the scene is purposeful – the audience member is not to be sitting pretty but to be shaken out of his or her comfort zone.

From the outset we can see that Christopher has an alternative viewpoint on the world, which proves to be a constant struggle for both him and those closest to him.

Christopher, who discovered the dead dog, turns detective, steadfast in his resolution to get justice for the poor pooch.

The big obstacle is Christopher’s crippling anxieties, which are many and varied, and his lack of understanding of social cues or situations.

His amateur whodunit detective task leads to a life-changing discovery which forces Christopher to break his routine and venture into the big, bad, confusing world.

Joshua Jenkins, who plays Christopher, gives an outstanding performance. The play is fast-paced and flits between past and present, which can be disorientating at times, but Jenkins does not falter, transitioning smoothly from dark and brooding to excited and energetic.

The stripped back set also lends itself to the unorthodox play – simple props, clever lighting and blank walls – and challenges perception.

We get an insight into how Christopher’s mind works, with his innermost thoughts projected onto the blank walls; this allows us to understand how the humdrum, grey world we live in can seem frightening and confusing to others.

Although it may sound heavy, the play is littered with comical one-liners and the supporting cast add a humorous dimension to the play, from the nosy old neighbour next door to the less than sympathetic information attendant.

It is safe to say this National Theatre production has done the book on which it was based on justice – which is no mean feat – and is just as imaginative and captivating.

Although The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’s three-week stint at The Lowry has sadly come to an end, judging by its popularity, there could well be sufficient demand to warrant a return. Watch this space.