Question about the very last moment in Curious Incident

*SPOILERS*

I LOVE this ending, one of the reasons being that there are so many different ways to interpret it.

When I saw the show, the lights blacked out just as it looked like she was about to respond. I don’t think there is anything you missed – I imagine they purposely black it out right at the moment it looks like we might receive an answer.

SPOLIERS

I sat in the third row, and after he asks the question for the last time (just before the blackout), she has this pained and sad expression on her face as if to say no, you can't. From what I saw, I didn't think the ending was ambiguous at all, at least in terms of her reaction to the question.

I loved the ending.

This is a beautiful play and that was the perfect ending to it. Compellingly raising the questions not only about Christopher's limitations, but everyone's limitations, and the honesty of "I can do anything" as a means of encouragement.

Unfortunately, my one and only criticism was what comes after afterwards, which I won't describe for those who haven't seen the show yet. Personally I found it excessive and cheapening of what was otherwise a fantastic experience (the way one finds certain indulgent moments in otherwise great Spielberg movies).... it certainly didn't ruin my experience of this great play which I heartily recommend, but it didn't work.

Goes without saying, but just my opinion (although I've heard others say the same, and no doubt others will disagree).

"
Unfortunately, my one and only criticism was what comes after afterwards, which I won't describe for those who haven't seen the show yet. Personally I found it excessive and cheapening of what was otherwise a fantastic experience
Henrik, could you elaborate with a SPOILER warning? Because I must have missed what happened after the blackout. "

********SPOILER*********

I assume he's talking about the coda in which Christopher comes back on stage and shows how he solved the math problem. I really loved that; different strokes for different folks I suppose.

I agree – I was extremely surprised to see Ian Barford overlooked for a supporting nomination. I thought his performance was complex, nuanced, and fully realized in a character that, I would imagine, might be difficult to strike the right balance for.

*SPOILERS*

I, too, love the ending and think those few moments say so much. The idea that Siobhan has really been the only adult that Christopher has truly been able to rely on, who’s always told him truth, and the responsibility she feels to maintain that trust juxtaposed with also being in a position of providing encouragement. That moment also perfectly brings back the reality of Christopher’s situation – he may have succeeded in certain ways at that moment, but the challenges in his life are in no way over. It was one of those endings of a play that hit me so hard I think it may forever be burned into my mind. So much came across in just a few short seconds.

As for the coda, it did feel a little out of place after that ending moment. It didn’t take anything away from the ending, for me, and I found it to be a fun, joyous moment, but I can absolutely see how that moment might not work for some.

And, yes, THAT PUPPY. The second it appeared onstage some sort of mix between a gasp and a shriek escaped my mouth before I even had a chance to realize I was making an audible noise. That puppy just seemed to be so damn happy to see Alex, too, I just couldn’t take it.

*SOMEWHAT SPOILERS*

<i>And given what he's done in the play (particularly the confession he makes in that scene), for me to come around and totally embrace him as a loving person who made some bad mistakes, is saying a lot.</I>

Absolutely. I remember when I read the book, I had a really hard time getting passed what he confesses to. Yet Barford’s work onstage completely opened up that character in a totally different way for me. He made me believe that he could be someone who has both the capacity to do the awful, awful thing he confesses to as well as love and care for Christopher in the absolute best way he knows how.

SPOILERS ABOUT BOTH THE PLAY AND THE BOOK

The coda is very true to the book which ends with Christopher solving this incredibly complex math problem that goes for pages it seems. I for one was so happy they included it--and they keep referring to it throughout the show and he's told "later, later". I saw Taylor Trensch in the role and I loved him during that section (well, I loved him from start to finish)--he looks so happy and confident and amusingly know-it-allish. : )

As I recall it came fairly quick at the NY performance I saw, ggersten.