Former television actor Joe McFadden, known for his role on the long-running medical drama Holby City, is currently touring the UK with a new production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Speaking about the tour and his ongoing career, McFadden reflected on the experience of performing on his 50th birthday in October 2023, which he marked with two shows in Manchester, finishing the day with a non-alcoholic beer alongside his castmates.

McFadden described working on his birthday as a positive sign for the year ahead, noting that for him, work on such occasions is a meaningful gift. He recalled his 40th birthday spent filming Holby City and expressed enthusiasm for maintaining a busy schedule through theatre tours.

A former winner of the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing, McFadden has also incorporated dance into his stage performances. He has performed various dance routines, including a Viennese waltz during a tour of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d and modern TikTok-inspired dance numbers in pantomime productions. McFadden emphasized the challenge these dances represent, noting that rehearsing choreography can be more demanding than acting.

Over recent years, McFadden has appeared in a variety of touring productions including Agatha Christie’s mystery plays, Priscilla – Queen Of The Desert, and The Shawshank Redemption. He shared that touring allows him to explore different parts of the UK, discovering local cafés and restaurants while expanding his artistic range through diverse roles.

Discussing practical aspects of life on the road, McFadden admitted to occasionally forgetting essential items such as socks but relies on local shops to fill the gaps. He also mentioned plans to bring a memory foam pillow and considered traveling with an air fryer to maintain comfort and routine during tours.

McFadden is currently performing alongside former EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks, who plays his on-stage wife in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He praised the collaborative rehearsal process and expressed excitement about the tour’s launch at Birmingham Rep—a venue where he has not performed before. The tour also includes stops in cities such as Cardiff and Aberdeen.

Regarding the play itself, McFadden expressed admiration for Mark Haddon’s original novel, which follows Christopher Boone, a mathematically gifted 15-year-old on the autism spectrum, and praised Simon Stephens’ stage adaptation. McFadden portrays Ed, Christopher’s father, whom he characterized as a flawed yet well-meaning parent doing his best under difficult circumstances. He urged audiences to approach the character with empathy, acknowledging the complexities of parental imperfections.

Since premiering at the National Theatre in 2012, the production has been seen by over five million people globally and is regarded as one of the most acclaimed British plays of the 21st century. McFadden highlighted that the current tour features a new version of the play, offering audiences a fresh perspective on a well-known story.

Outside of acting, McFadden enjoys spending his time attending theatre and film performances, as well as reading. He recently attended productions such as Trainspotting – The Musical and Glengarry Glen Ross. Reflecting on his early theatre experiences, he noted that although he did not frequently attend performances growing up, his first professional role in Entertaining Mr Sloane at Theatr Clwyd was pivotal, fostering his passion for acting.