The piece has a clear story arc. There are unknowns in the world, from a dog that has been killed to a mother who has vanished from her life, and Chris needs to know why. The twists and turns are delivered with urgency, and staging and props are constantly moved around to set the scene and tell the tale.

Staging as a whole has a binary feel. Houses are 2-D cut-outs, props are often projected onto the backdrop, as are numbers and maps. There is little room for misunderstanding. Meanings are crystal clear, and there is alignment between the setting and the inner world of neurodiversity. Lighting in soft pastel colours brings a beauty to the whole and a feeling that, at times, is almost surreal.

The chaos of London, and Chris’ struggle to navigate systems from cash machines to the tube, is brilliantly shown through physical theatre by the ensemble and through coloured balls which bounce around randomly.

But it is the emotional content of the piece which is the most compelling. Chris’ thoughts are often externalised by being spoken by teacher/narrator, Siobhan (played by Bridgette Amofah). This gives voice to the confusions that go through her mind. Why do people speak without using words? And why do they use metaphors instead of saying what they mean? For Chris, a metaphor is a lie.

But her physical language also reveals her state of mind and the turmoil she feels. Alex Keenan as Chris (on press night) was remarkable in her professional debut, bringing lived experience of neurodiversity to the role. Her performance of how mental distress can become physical pain, and her display of coping strategies, whether lining things up neatly or reciting prime numbers and square roots, to deal with anxiety or sensory overload, was remarkable.

If, sometimes, the speed of Keenan’s speech was a little too fast for all of her words to be heard, there was no doubt about the integrity of her performance overall. Her delivery of the finale in which she narrates the mathematical solution to a question which gave her an A* in her maths A-level was extraordinary.

Haddon’s book was first published in 2003 and there were moments when the production felt a little dated. Whilst there is still far to go, understanding of neurodiversity has surely improved since then, and attitudes have changed.

Some of those Chris encounters understand her condition and know how to adapt their behaviours, but there are many instances of people who do not understand, from those closest to her to those in public institutions. With subject matter as current as this, it would have been good to see some of this reflected.

The theme of being an outsider will resonate with many. It runs throughout the play, creating a connection for many who do not feel fully in tune with Society’s expectations. And the optimism that ends the play is a big plus. Neurodiversity is often associated with cognitive and problem-solving abilities. After all, Chris’ ambition is to become a scientist!

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time runs at the Birmingham Rep until 19th September. For further information visit birmingham-rep.co.uk