NODA review of ‘A Monster Calls’

– reviewed on 30th August 2024

At the Talisman Theatre & Arts Centre from time to time, we invite NODA along to our productions so they can engage with the work that we do at the theatre and continue to support us in our creative mission to provide quality, thought-provoking and entertaining theatre experience to our local Kenilworth community. NODA is the national body that represents amateur theatre. Any amateur theatre society can become a member of NODA. Its mission is to offer support and inspire amateur theatre. NODA’s vision is that amateur theatre is successful and sustainable, providing a range of opportunities for people to develop their skills, and enjoy taking part, at all levels.

We were delighted to welcome Joyce Eyre to the penultimate performance of ‘A Monster Calls’ on Friday 30th August and she has shared her wonderful review with us here: 

“Often when seeing a production I am not familiar with I do a certain amount of research before the performance on this occasion I am pleased that I did. The very first line of information available states – Prepare to embark on an emotional journey like no other in our stage production of “A Monster Calls”. Based on the extraordinary heart-wrenching best-selling novel by Patrick Ness. This being the final original idea of the late award-winning writer Siobhan Dowd.

Talisman director Caroline McCluskey used her vision to great effect directing the amazingly talented cast who took to the stage to tell the stunning story of love, loss and courage anew. Uniting the graduating youth members with an adult cast who embraced Caroline’s ideas from the very start of their rehearsal process. 

The play tells us the somewhat harrowing story of Conor, who was played with such forlorn anguish and anger by Oliver Mason in his final performance as a Youth Theatre member. I felt many of the audience would totally identify with his emotional portrayal. Conor has the same vivid dream every night since his mother first fell ill, and as she embarks on a treatment regime that somehow doesn’t seem to be working. Emma Ritson’s stagecraft when playing Conor’s Mum would easily equal many a professional actress, especially in her opening scene when cradling her baby in a shawl that then became her head scarf. Her health and hope declined as the many treatments continued to fail, her demeanour and resilience slowly becoming increasingly sad and somewhat desperate when making plans for Conor’s future with his Grandma.  

One night when Conor wakes during his recurring dreams there is a visitor at his window, presenting himself as from the trees, his fantastic makeup enabling him as the ancient elemental force of nature, the unexpected arrival of this compelling monster, he introduces himself as ‘The Teller’. Played by Ben Ionoff, who for me gave the most captivating performance of all when telling his three stories, when he invites Conor and also us, the audience, to confront life’s challenges and discover the power of one’s imagination. However, ultimately the monster commands the most powerful thing from Conor, the truth.

It would be easy but boring for me to list each of the twelve extremely talented ensemble. The majority of the ensemble all had their own dual parts to play, as well as supporting characters throughout, as teachers, Conor’s Grandma, the school bullies and Conor’s absent Dad. All twelve were present in the very loud shocking dreams that inhabited poor Conor’s existence when he woke at night, each gave incredible performances in every dream sequence, including superb movement accompanied by carefully chosen appropriate music clip for each sequence.

As always at The Talisman Theatre, their crew and creatives had thought about the sparse scenery and having just enough props to enable each scene to be carefully set. 

The subject matter of a play that deals with so many thought-provoking, heartbreaking challenging themes is not something I can say I enjoyed. Bereavement, isolation, harrowing dream sequences, emotional distress, bullying and, violence to name but a few. What I can agree on is that the evening was a truly extraordinary theatrical performance leaving the audience profoundly moved and emotional with many audience members in tears. I can say no more, other than to all the cast and crew, you’ve done your job and it was done in an exceptional way. Superb.”