A Monster Calls with The Old Vic

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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A Monster Calls

5-11 June 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Image courtesy of the Old Vic Theatre.
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The Old Vic have started to stream some of their masterpieces for free and it all kicks off with the Olivier Award-winning production of A Monster Calls.

The adaptation of Patrick Ness’s piercing novel A Monster Calls was first seen on stage in 2018. It tells the story of 13-year-old Conor and his mother, who is sick and not getting any better. Then, one night, Conor hears something at his window. A monster has come to call. It has come to tell Conor stories and to make him face his deepest fears head-on.

Beautifully performed and deeply moving, critics and audiences praised the show for its inventive staging and emotional rawness in tackling death and grief.

A stunning examination of identity, loss and hope, A Monster Calls was a best-seller when it was published in 2011. A film version swiftly followed in 2017, before the novel was adapted for the stage.

Suitable for families with children aged 10 and over, this is a courageous and honest production. Authentic, but far from gloomy. Brace yourself for tears.

While you’re here…be sure to check out our full (and frequently updated) guide to the best online things to do in Manchester and the North.

Where to go near A Monster Calls with The Old Vic

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

Interior of George St Chapel
Manchester
Event venue
George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

Come to Swithens Farm for a great family day out in Leeds. Our farm has plenty to offer whatever age you are!Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around. We now have a farm shop, café, playbarn and petting farm. When we first opened we only had the usual farm animals – cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and it was free entry. We now have llamas, alpacas, meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs, donkeys and a pony.On the working farm, we breed our own cows, pigs and sheep and we sell the meat through the farm shop and the café. If you buy a sausage sandwich from the café the sausage will be from the butcher who has made the sausage by hand using our own pork. We also produce our own free-range eggs.
Leeds
Swithens Farm

Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around.

Peak District
Restaurant
The Chequers Inn

The Chequers Inn is a 16th century, family-run, traditional country inn with an impressive dining space. The Peak District at its best.

Testbed Main Space
Leeds
Event venue
TESTBED

TESTBED is a newly renovated 10,000 sq foot event venue in Leeds that offers endless possibilities for creating unique and inspiring experiences.

Manchester
Restaurant
Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

What's on: Families

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