A STOURBRIDGE-born theatre producer who is bringing his hit production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time to the Black Country has credited his school drama teacher as the inspiration behind his successful career.

Chris Harper is producer of the National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time which is stopping off at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from February 17 to 21.

The show tells the story of extraordinary 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who attempts to solve the murder of of Mrs Shears' dog Wellington which he finds has been speared with a garden fork just after midnight.

Despite having never ventured alone beyond the end of his road - the teenager, who has a distrust of strangers, embarks on detective work that takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

Chris, aged 43, who was inspired to pursue a theatre career by his drama teacher, Beryl Luckins, when he was at the old Grange School in Stourbridge, said: "It's all about how a character connects with his teacher and it highlights exactly my relationship with Beryl Luckins who is the person who encouraged me to follow my dreams.

"She was brilliant - we used to do everything from Shakespeare to Brecht and she encouraged me to do my work experience at The Rep."

After getting his foot in the stage door at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on work experience, Chris enrolled at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge but just months after starting he was offered a job at The Rep.

He said: "I'd do everything from sweep the floors to picking up people's dry cleaning and getting their lunch. I tried to make myself as indispensable as possible.

"I'd left the Grange with a handful of GCSEs to work at The Rep. Everyone said you can't do this but it was the best decision I've ever made.

"Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think about the shows I'm involved with."

After working his way up at The Rep to become head of marketing, Chris landed a job at Birmingham Hippodrome - the venue that had captivated him since childhood - and later he became head of marketing for theatres in London’s West End.

Finally, in 2003 he became marketing director at the National Theatre where he still works today.

He said: "I just feel very fortunate. I feel like I've got the best job in the world. It's really exciting for me."

Having impressed in his role at the National Theatre, Chris - who has also worked for theatre producer Cameron Macintosh and for Disney's theatrical division - was asked to produce the National Theatre's production of War Horse which went on to win six Tony awards and became "the most successful play in ten years on Broadway".

Chris said: "It was a big leap going from being the person who sells the tickets to being the person coming up with how it was made."

The success of War Horse, which is currently in its seventh year in London and on a tour of the UK, paved the way for Chris to take the helm on The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time which has won seven Olivier Awards and gone down a storm in London's West End and on Broadway.

London-based Chris, whose parents still live in Cradley Heath, said: "It's a very exciting production - a very sensory experience and very, very theatrical.

"This is the first time it's ever been done. We were very nervous about how it would work as a play as it's a very, very loved book."

Based on Mark Haddon's best-selling novel and adapted for the stage by playwright Simon Stephens - the show is directed by Marianne Elliott (co-director of the National Theatre's War Horse) and stars Swansea-born Joshua Jenkins as Christopher and Geraldine Alexander as his teacher Siobhan.

Chris, whose other producing credits include The Elephantom, Untold Stories, Great Britain and One Man, Two Guvnors (which will be at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from March 17 to 21), said he hopes to invite his former mentor Beryl Luckins to see The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time when it makes its West Midlands debut at The Grand as part of a nationwide tour.

The show will also run at Birmingham Hippodrome from May 26 to June 6.

For tickets for The Grand go to www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 429212; or for the Hippodrome check out www.birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000.