A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls, Based on the novel by Patrick Ness, devised by The Company, performed by Oundle School Drama Scholars.

A Monster Calls is a stage adaptation of the novel by Patrick Ness, centred on a young boy named Conor O’Malley. Conor is struggling to cope with his mother’s terminal illness, bullying at school, and his difficult relationship with his grandmother. One night, a giant monster in the shape of a yew tree appears outside his window and begins visiting him at exactly 12:07 each night.

Rather than simply frightening Conor, the monster tells him three stories, each containing complicated moral lessons about truth, grief, anger, and human nature. In return, the monster demands that Conor tell a fourth story — his own truth. As Conor’s emotional pain grows, he is forced to confront the guilt and fear he has been hiding about his mother’s condition.

The play explores themes of loss, love, courage, and the complexity of emotions during grief. By the end, Conor finally accepts the truth about his feelings and learns that it is possible to love someone deeply while still wanting their suffering to end. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, showing how imagination can help people face difficult realities.

Tickets: £6
Suitable for age 11-14+

How To Get Your Ticket

Online: www.stahltheatre.co.uk
Phone: 01832 277300
In person at the Box Office: Mon-Fri. 10am -2pm term time only