A Monster Calls, Old Vic Theatre

Mourning, imagination and a giant creature rule the stage in the world premiere of A Monster Calls. Patrick Ness' 2011 novel boasts a scoop of awards, a legion of fans (children and adults alike) and a 2016 film adaptation. Director Sally Cookson, head of the Bristol Old Vic whose numerous successes include an imaginative stage adaptation of Jane Eyre and a gleefully subversive Peter Pan, will lead a cast of creatives in re-imagining Ness' prose for a devised stage adaptation. Expect a dark, fantastical aesthetic and a fantastical monster at its heart.

A Monster Calls is a searing story of emotional pain and resilience, told from the perspective of 13-year-old Conor O'Malley. Since his dad moved to America it is just Conor and his mum. But now she's gravely ill and it's hard for Conor to carry on as normal when everyone's avoiding him or interfering.

Things take a dramatic turn however when, on a fateful evening at seven minutes past midnight, Conor's deepest fears and darkest nightmares come to life. An almighty monster taps at the window. The creature is ancient, wild and wise. Most importantly it wants Conor to confront the truth.

The theme of loss is poignantly echoed in the real story behind the creation of the original novel. It was first conceived by Siohhan Dowd, but its completion was tragically halted by her premature death from cancer. Patrick Ness then took the bare bones of the narrative and created a tender, mischievous and deeply affecting portrait of fear, bravery and recovery.

The 200 pages of prose and illustrations are utterly engrossing. We read the book in mere hours, but spent far longer reeling from the story.

The film version, though moving, sadly didn't quite have the potency of the novel; but with Cookson's sterling track record for transforming narratives to live theatre, we have high hopes for A Monster Calls on Stage. The show comes to London's Old Vic Theatre in July 2018, after a world premiere at the Bristol Old Vic.

General booking for A Monster Calls at The Old Vic Theatre opens on Wednesday 15 November 2017.

Recommended for ages 10+