In Person

A Monster Calls

07 Jul–25 Aug 2018

What you need to know

Dates

07 Jul–25 Aug 2018

About 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

Gallery