From Page to Stage: On the Externalisation of the Mind in the Theatre Adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Abstract

This thesis investigates the externalisation of the mind when a literary work is transferred to the theatrical stage. It analyses the specific case of Mark Haddon's book 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time', which was adapted into a play by Simon Stephens, and premiered in the National Theatre in London in 2012. The paper looks at different stages of the adaptation process, and emphasises the importance of intermediality in this case. It concludes that in 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time', the mind is externalised through three main mechanisms, namely narratology, physical theatre and audio-visual elements.