Theatre News

A Monster Calls to head out on UK tour

The show originally opened at the Bristol Old Vic before running at the Old Vic in London

Cast of A Monster Calls
Cast of A Monster Calls
© Manuel Harlan

A Monster Calls, the stage adaptation of Patrick Ness' novel, is to head out on a tour.

Beginning in February 2020, the show will open at Chichester Festival Theatre on 6 February, before heading to venues in Nottingham, Salford, Coventry, Sheffield, Aberdeen, Canterbury, Edinburgh, Malvern, Norwich, Leicester and Bristol, with further venues yet to be announced.

Sally Cookson's production won the 2019 Best Entertainment and Family Olivier Award and ran at the Old Vic in London in July 2018, after a brief run at the Bristol Old Vic.

The piece follows 13 year-old Conor who has managed fine with his mum since his dad left, but is having to face up to the fact that his mum is sick. An outreach and engagement programme will be taking place throughout the tour.

Cookson said: "Being given the opportunity to adapt Patrick Ness' beautiful book was a career
highlight and I am thrilled to be able to bring it to life once more in a new touring production that will see it reach a wider audience."

The show received a four-star review from WhatsOnStage, which called it: "Truthful, hopeful and human".