A THRILLING and fast-paced production which has been wowing audiences in London and New York is heading to the North West.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will be at The Lowry, Salford Quays, from December 18 to January 10 as part of its first UK tour.

Winner of seven 2013 Olivier Awards, the highly-acclaimed National Theatre production stars Joshua Jenkins as Christopher — a 15-year-old with an extraordinary brain.

Exceptional at maths but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life, when he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears' dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.

The adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel opened on Broadway in October to a rapturous reception and spectacular reviews from the American media.

Joshua, aged 27, said: "It's a story about a 15-year-old, Christopher Boone, who is a bit of genius in the true sense of the word.

"He is older than me in many ways. He is very articulate and clever and sensitive and logical.

"He is a great part to play. I'm very lucky and very excited.

"He has Asperger syndrome, although that's never mentioned in the book or the play.

"The story starts off and he sees a dead dog lying on the floor. He has a passion for Sherlock Holmes and detective novels so he decides to go and find out who killed Wellington.

"An awful lot happens, it's a bit of a rollercoaster ride."

Named as Time Magazine's top theatrical experience of the year for 2014, it is directed by Tony Award-winning Marianne Elliott, who grew up in Manchester, and adapted by Stockport-born Simon Stephens.

Joshua, who is from Swansea and graduated from drama school in 2009, said: "We are in rehearsals at the moment, at the National Theatre in London.

"We are right into the heart of it.

"It's all very tiring but it's brilliant.

"It's a dream come true really. As an actor, I just feel lucky and privileged to be in work, let alone to be working for a company like the National Theatre.

"It's going to be great.

"The design and the set are fantastic. It's a straight play but with the production values of a big West End show.

"Christopher has these wild images, he dreams of space.

"Whenever he gets claustrophobic, scared, uncomfortable, it is shown through physical theatre and the ensemble.

"When he steps on a train at Paddington Station and it's overwhelming, it's all shown through this five to 10 minute movement segment which looks, on paper, quite easy but turns out to be really exhausting but brilliant as well."

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is on at The Lowry, Salford Quays, from Thursday, December 18 to Saturday, January 10.