Actors from the Princes Youth Theatre are to stage a fundraising performance of a play turned Hollywood blockbuster.
Cast and crew from the group, based at the Tendring District Council-run (TDC) Princes Theatre, are putting on their own version of A Monster Calls to raise funds for CLIC Sargent’s Young Lives Vs Cancer. All profits raised from the production will go to the charity, which is close to the hearts of all at the Princes Youth Theatre.
Melissa Wenn, Principal of the Princes Youth Theatre, said the company had chosen the play because of the way it explores grief, loss and the pain it can bring to a young life.
“The novel is one of the great young adult fiction novels of our time, a devastating articulation of the fury that comes with grief, and is definitely not sugar-coated,” Ms Wenn said.
“As well as grief it also looks at the dangers of not dealing with these feelings, and these are issues we are often reluctant to discuss with young people.”
Based on Patrick Ness’ critically acclaimed bestselling novel, a silver screen version of the book starring Sigourney Weaver and Liam Neeson was released in 2016.
The story follows 13-year-old Conor (played by Max Chase) whose Mum (Maddi Robinson) is terminally ill. While coping with friends and wider family, Conor is woken by a monster (Ewan Purser) at his window who returns each night to tell Conor three stories.
Conor is then charged with telling the fourth tale which must be his truth – forcing him to confront is own emotions and start the grieving process.
The play will run at the Princes Theatre from Thursday, 23 March to Saturday, 25 March, with nightly performances at 7.30pm. The adaptation is suitable for children aged ten-and-over.
Tickets (£15 / £10 concessions) can be bought at the Princes Theatre Box Office at www.princestheatre.co.uk or by calling 01255 686633 (Option 1).
