“A Monster Calls” by Patrick Ness
Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Directed by Sally Cookson.

Thirteen year old Conor has the same dream every night, ever since his mother first fell ill, ever since she started the treatments that don't quite seem to be working. But tonight is different. Tonight, when he wakes at 12.07am, there's a visitor at his window. A monster has come walking. It's come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. And when it's finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears.

His father has remarried and lives in America and, seen through Conor's eyes. is second on the list of priorities, after his new wife and family.

His Grandmother treats him like a servant and her home is like a show home which Conor does not feel at home in.

He is being bullied at school, but he has a friend who does stick up for him, and a teacher who is on his side, but only because of his situation with his ill mother.

This is one story that I've not read, nor have I seen the film, so I knew very little about the story, and I'm pleased that I didn't because I don't think this play would have had the same impact on me as it did.

For many people seeing this, it will be an emotional viewing, but even if you've not been in the exact same situation as Conor finds himself in, it is not the easiest of watches emotionally; especially when you remember that Conor is just thirteen years old.

Ammar Duffus (Conor), who we last saw in Nottingham in the Nottingham Playhouse production of "Holes" in 2018.The whole play is very physical and Ammar the physicality of the role comes naturally to Ammar. He gives a lot of emotion to the part, especially so at the end.

Maria Omakinwa (Mum) gets to show us the decline in the character, and while we can guess what the outcome will be, it still comes as a bit of a punch to the guts.

Kaye Brown (Grandma) tells an unfurling character story as we think one way about the character at the start and by the end, we see someone different.

Ewan Wardrop (Dad) plays a torn character, not sure what to do for the best and trying to keep everyone happy.

Keith Gilmore (Monster) has the most physical of roles,and does come over as the things that nightmares are made of, but as the play goes on, we discover the meaning of the three stories and how they connect with Conor's situation, and also why the monster was called by Conor. But is the monster real or just what is inside Conor's troubled mind.

Greg Bernstein (Harry) plays the bane of Conor's school life, along with Jade Hackett (Sully). They bully him relentlessly but it's what Harry says towards the end that really pushes Conor over the edge.

The rest of the cast are Cora Kirk (Lily), Kei Matsena (Anton),
Sarah Quist (Miss Godfrey) and Paul Sockett (Mr Marl), all of which also operate the ropes and stage manage the props.

The Set Design by Michael Vale to start with looks pretty stark, but then we see just how clever the set is with ropes to create the tree. It allows us create pictures in our head.

With the ropes there is aerial work, and this adds another dimension to this play, placing the monster on high, making him seem larger and more terrifying than if he had been at stage level.

Creating the nightmare images from Conor's head, and positioning us where we can experience this nightmare is done by video and projection design (Dick Straker).

Music is by Benji Bower,and we get to see the musicians in an open square up in the scenery. The music really creates atmosphere, and the inclusion of Khachaturian's Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia - also recognised as the 1970's theme to "The Onedin Line" - is emotive and beautiful. The original music is also atmospheric and well placed.

Lighting Design by Aiden Malone and Sound Design by Mike Beer both add to the feel of this very special piece of theatre.

I overheard another theatre goer stating when they came out that they didn't understand it and they were confused. I'm not sure if they saw the same play as I did because the play, while it could be seen by some as a tad depressing, was very beautiful. It also makes us think about mental health issues within the play.

The inclusion of circus skills and the choreographed dance pieces were wonderful, and the singing was both angelic and euphoric, with the ability to send shivers down the spine.

“A Monster calls” is at the Nottingham theatre Royal until Saturday 22 February.