A Monster Calls
07 Jul–25 Aug 2018
What you need to know
Dates
07 Jul–25 Aug 2018About the show
‘Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?’
Patrick Ness’s piercing novel A Monster Calls is brought to The Old Vic stage in a powerful new adaptation by visionary director Sally Cookson.
Thirteen-year-old Conor and his mum have managed just fine since his dad moved to America. But now his mum’s very sick and she’s not getting any better. His grandmother won’t stop interfering and the kids at school won’t look him in the eye.
Then, one night, at seven minutes past midnight, Conor is woken by something at his window. A monster has come walking. It’s come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. And when it’s finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears.
On publication, A Monster Calls became a bestseller with children and adults alike with its dazzling insight into love, loss and healing. It garnered huge critical acclaim, including an unprecedented double win of the Carnegie and Greenaway Medals for outstanding children’s literature and illustration.
Based on the novel by Patrick Ness
Inspired by an idea by Siobhan Dowd
Devised by the company
The Cast
Hammed Animashaun
Anton/Ensemble
Selina Cadell
Grandma/Ensemble
Matt Costain
Mr Marl/Ensemble
Georgia Frost
Sully/Ensemble
Stuart Goodwin
Monster/Ensemble
Felix Hayes
Dad/Ensemble
Jonathan Holby
Swing
Nandi Bhebhe
Miss Godfrey/Ensemble
John Leader
Harry/Ensemble
Marianne Oldham
Mum/Ensemble
Matthew Tennyson
Conor
Witney White
Lily/Ensemble
Tessa Wood
Understudy Grandma
Will Bower
Musician
Creative Team
Sally Cookson
Director
Adam Peck
Writer
Michael Vale
Set Designer
Katie Sykes
Costume Designer
Benji Bower
Composer
Aideen Malone
Lighting
Mike Beer
Sound
Dick Straker
Projection
Jessica Ronane CDG
Casting
Dan Canham
Movement
Laura Cubitt
Puppeteer/Devisor
Matt Costain
Ariel
Rachel Bown-Williams & Ruth Cooper-Brown
Fights
Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth
Voice
Miranda Cromwell
Associate Director