Secondary school pupils have the chance to enjoy award winning theatre right on their doorstep with a production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The performances, which began today at The Old Town Hall, Stratford, are presented in association with the Theatre Royal, Stratford East and Newham Council.

Students from all of Newham’s secondary schools have been invited to lunchtime performances at The Old Town Hall, Stratford from Monday 3 – Thursday 13 February.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales, said: ‘We’re delighted to be working with the National Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East to bring the critically acclaimed theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to Newham’s secondary school children.

“We recently launched our Every Child A Theatre Goer Programme to give our children access to world-class theatre productions such as this, as we believe theatre can stir the imagination of our young people, stimulate their curiosity and ignite artistic impulses while complementing more traditional learning opportunities.”

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is based on Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott. Its West End run was interrupted when part of the ceiling at the Apollo Theatre collapsed on December 19 last year. It is due to resume its run at the Gielgud Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue in June.

The play features Christopher, 15, who has an extraordinary brain – exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs. Shears’ dog Wellington, he records each fact about the event in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of the murder. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.