Young Everyman & Playhouse Presents: A Monster Calls

The award-winning Young Everyman & Playhouse (YEP) stages the powerful and emotional play, A Monster Calls.

Under the direction of Nathan Crossan-Smith, A Monster Calls will run for four performances from Thursday, July 4 to Saturday, July 6 at the Everyman Theatre.

A Monster Calls, adapted from the acclaimed novel by Patrick Ness and inspired by an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, was devised by Sally Cookson and Adam Peck. The narrative centres on Conor, a young boy grappling with his mother’s cancer battle.

His journey is marked by visits from a monster in his nightmares, blending fantastical elements with profound human experiences.

This production shines a spotlight on a new generation of actors, featuring YEP performers aged 18-25 from the 2024 programme.

Young Everyman Playhouse is renowned for providing free, invaluable opportunities for young people in the Liverpool City Region, offering them a professional platform to hone their craft.

Nathan Crossan-Smith, the director of A Monster Calls, brings a wealth of experience to the production. His works include The Trials at Storyhouse and Bitch Boxer at the Institute for Contemporary Theatre.

Crossan-Smith is also known for his youth justice lyricism project, Tipping Point, and his involvement in co-creation projects with prestigious institutions such as the National Theatre, Barbican, and National Youth Theatre.

A Monster Calls. Credit: Liverpool Everyman

Nathan Crossan-Smith, Director of A Monster Calls said:

“I’m delighted to be directing for the mighty Young Everyman Playhouse Actors and telling this beautiful tale. Following a young person as they navigate grief, loss and love, A Monster Calls is, for me, about the wild power of stories to offer us routes through the vast, unknowable landscapes inside us.

“We’re excited to be conjuring up Conor’s world with plenty of theatre magic and the talents of a brilliant group of young artists.”

Leading the production are Finn Kearns as Conor, with Moli Wyn as Mum, Niamh Parrington as Grandma, and Josh Bosman as Dad. Janis Lai portrays Lily, Kieran Gregory as Harry, and Rebecca Warburton as Sully.

The cast also includes Adam Murphy as Anton, Penda Ba Ndiaye as Miss Godfrey, Niall Bailey as Mr Marl, and a talented core ensemble of Monsters & Storytellers including Megan Brady, Sacha Hales, Ammar Majeed, Luigi Musa-Baldo, Alfie Ross, and Dan Sullivan. Tasha Hastings serves as the rehearsal understudy.

Students from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), Steffan Norman and Eve Wilkinson are joining the Stage Management, while Milly Noble as Set Designer and Poppy Aindow as Costume Designer, making their professional stage debuts.

The company also includes Assistant Director Sophie Compton (Be You Living or Be You Dead, YEP Directors Festival 2023 at the Everyman), a YEP Directors graduate of 2023, along with Puppetry Director Aisling Leyne.

Helen Webster, Young People & Community Producer added:

“The opportunity for our young people to take to the Everyman’s main stage is always a thrill for everyone involved. A Monster Calls platforms the talents of our older YEP Actors groups, YEP Producers, YEP Technicians, alongside LIPA students. Together with theatre professionals, we’re learning so much and creating a show that we can’t wait to share with audiences.”

As the theatres continue their commitment to developing new talent, the Everyman will host the YEP Directors’ Festival from Friday 27 September to Saturday 12 October, supported by the YEP Producers and YEP Technicians along with the YEP Writers’ Showcase on Friday 25 October and Saturday 26 October will highlight the creativity and talent of YEP participants.

A Monster Calls will take place on Friday 5 July. Tickets ranging from £5 to £12 are available now.