Steve Sanday – Set Designer for ‘A Monster Calls’ which took to the Talisman stage in August 2024 shared his thoughts below with James Smith, Editor from Kenilworth Nub News on getting involved behind the scenes at the Talisman Theatre since recently retiring. Read the full article from James Smith below:

The set designer behind the latest production coming to Kenilworth’s Talisman Theatre has encouraged locals to “come and try something new” and said audiences will be impressed by the high standards set at the Barrow Road venue.

Steve Sanday – who has volunteered at the Talisman for over 25 years – has enjoyed his debut as set designer for A Monster Calls which runs from Monday 26 August.

Working over several months alongside a team of other volunteers, Steve has helped stage the multi-award-winning novel by Patrick Ness for what promises to be a “full sensory experience”.

And reflecting on weeks of work to get the set ready for Monday, he told Nub News: “I have really enjoyed it, it has been a learning curve and I would definitely do it again.

“I am doing next October’s show and maybe even one in between.

“Lots of people have said how wonderful it looks, which is brilliant – I hope they are not just being kind!”

Work on the set began in the spring, with Steve first reading the script before spending a long time discussing how the piece would be staged with director Caroline McCluskey.

Having also looked to veteran set designer John Ellam for “inspiration and guidance” the set began to take shape.

But there were two main challenges in the design to help allow for the powerful physical movement sequences in the production.

“Without giving too much away – there is one scene where there is quite a lot of destruction,” Steve explained.

“So we have had to make all the set – tables, a grandfather clock and so on – so they can be smashed but then put back together for the next show. So that was a challenge.

“The magic of the theatre – it looks all good but you can’t see the blue tac holding it together!”

The largest piece of the set also proved a challenge, with Steve needing to create a large tree which houses the monster (played by Ben Ionoff) who stands on it around four feet off the ground.

And sticking to the Talisman’s mantra of bringing professional standards to amateur theatre, an elegant solution to the design was found.

“We could have just got a bit of plywood and painted it, but I really wanted it to have some texture and be a three dimensional tree,” Steve explained.

“So then we came up with the idea of using hundreds of metres of brown wrapping paper all wrapped, scrunched together and then put together.

“It took around a week to fully put it together, and with the stumps to the side.

“Once the lighting goes on it, it really brings it to life.”

As with all cast and backstage crew, Steve is a volunteer, giving up his free time to make sure shows at the Talisman can continue to produce a range of productions across the year.

Having first been persuaded to come and support a show backstage over two decades ago by his wife, he has been a regular since.

And when asked why he keeps coming back to the Talisman, Steve said: “It is its own community, it is such a friendly community.

“There are no egos, it is a friendly place.

“We have regular socials and everyone gets on.

“It really is a lovely place to be.”

Anyone interested in volunteering behind the scenes with set design and build or lighting and sound would be more than welcome to join the Talisman’s team. Please go to https://talismantheatre.co.uk/get-involved/ to find out more and get in touch.

Originally opening at the Bristol Old Vic in May 2018, A Monster Calls tells the story of teenager Conor (played by Oliver Mason) who struggles to cope with his mother’s terminal illness.

He is visited by the story-telling monster, whose tales challenge his understanding of courage, loss, and faith.

The tale of navigating grief will leave “audiences deeply moved” and is recommended for ages 12 and upwards.

And with the Talisman tackling such a meaningful production, Steve has encouraged locals to come and try something different.

“Step out of your comfort zone and come and see something you are not sure about,” he said.

“I do that frequently, go and see new things – you don’t know until you try it.

“We have a lot of people who come and say ‘I didn’t know how good the productions are here’.

“This promises to be another excellent show.”