A Monster Calls Programme 2024

A MONSTER CALLS

Monday 11 March and Tuesday 12 March 2024

7pm, Boyd Campbell Hall

Director’s Notes

Good evening and welcome to the Boyd Campbell Hall for this evening’s performance of A Monster Calls, this term’s Drama production featuring pupils between Years 7 and 10.

The play tells the story of Conor, an average 13 year old boy whose circumstances are anything but average. Conor grapples with the impending loss of his single mother to cancer while feeling isolated and misunderstood. Despite his loyalty to his mum, he resists accepting help from his grandma, and questions why he cannot live with his father and his new family in America.

Conor’s emotional turmoil is expressed through his nightmares, which reveal his fear and desire for the ordeal to be over. The Monster’s stories serve as a tool for Conor to process his grief and understand the complexities of life and emotions. While Conor’s mother initially shields him from the truth, concerns arise about his understanding as her condition worsens. Throughout the narrative, themes of family dynamics, grief, hidden emotions, and the complexity of human nature are explored, culminating in Conor’s journey of acceptance and understanding in the face of loss and loneliness.

The story delves into the intricate relationships between people, highlighting the blurred lines between good and bad within individuals. Conor encounters characters in the Monster’s stories who are not virtuous or malevolent, teaching him that most people reside somewhere in between.

Bereavement weighs heavily on Conor as he navigates the impending loss of his mother, compounded by feelings of invisibility and isolation in the face of his classmates’ unkind treatment. Amidst this, friendship emerges as a beacon of support, with Lily demonstrating compassion and understanding of Conor’s struggles. Through Conor’s journey, the narrative weaves together these themes, showcasing the multifaceted nature of human experience and the universal challenges of coping with grief and loss.

This cast has worked hard to produce work of quality and has approached the difficult themes with sensitivity. Our young adults are just that – young adults, and not children, and sometimes must cope with the adult world, or must deal with the consequence of adult decisions through no fault of their own. Directing this play has served as a reminder of that very fact.

I hope you enjoy the performance.

Leon Felgate Director

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Characters

Conor O’Malley A 13 year old boy who lives with his mother.

Mum Conor’s mother, who is divorced. She has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving chemotherapy and other hospital treatment.

Grandma Conor’s maternal grandmother.

The Monster

Harry, Anton

The yew tree, which is centuries old and visible through Conor’s window. The monster emerges through the tree.

Three students who bully Conor at school. and Sully

Lily

Dad

Miss Godfrey

Conor’s school friend who steps in when Harry and his friends threaten Conor.

Conor’s dad, who has moved to America and remarried.

A kind teacher at Conor’s school.

Cast and Creatives

Conor

Monster 1

Monster 2

Monster 3

Monster 4

Mum

Grandma

Dad

Romir Card

Tabitha Lee

Taran Matharu

Ollie Hoskins

Syum Shah

Hannah Pyke

Bella Nanthakumar

Sahil Patel

Harry Arun Karunadasa

Sully

Anton

Lily

Miss Godfrey

Mr Marl

King

Prince

Queen

Farmer’s Daughter

Apothecary

Parson

Sierra Andrews

Dhyan Patel

Inaya Sadiq

Sophia Appleton

Amaroo Brown

Ollie Hoskins

Blake Mitchell

Raphaella Alexandrou

Erin Kralj

Harvey Sharma

Soren Ladha

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Cast and Creatives

Parson’s Daughters

Nurse

Monster Crew

Ameera Quadry, Rebecca Edwards

Liam Lynch

Rebecca Edwards, Ameera Quadry, Raphaella Alexandrou, Amelia Krenitskaya, Sophia Appleton, Harvey Sharma, Soren Ladha, Blake Mitchell, Kiaan Mirchandani, Tobi Fagbulu, Ayaan Kalra, Ariyan Sengupta, Nile Charles, Zayn Siddiqui, Aarushan Gowthaman, Liam Lynch

Other parts to be played by members of the Monster Crew

Director Mr Leon Felgate

Movement Director Ms Lisa Lee

Production Manager Mr Luke Rao (OL)

Crew Milo Huntington, Arjun Mehta, Arad Mohammadlou

Company Biographies

Romir Card – Conor

Romir is in Year 10 and is currently studying GCSE Drama. In this production he is playing the part of Conor O’Malley, who is a vulnerable young boy troubled by the events that face him. Romir is really excited about playing this role as it is his first lead role in a John Lyon production. He has previously taken part in six John Lyon productions with the latest being the School’s musical Made in Dagenham. He would also like to thank Mr Felgate, Lisa Lee, and his fellow cast members for bringing this production to life.

Tabitha Lee – Monster 1

Tabitha is in Year 9 and is playing the part of Monster 1: she has explored new acting techniques and approaches while rehearsing. She has also taken part in the School’s musical production of Made in Dagenham at the Ryan Theatre as part of the ensemble, as well as other productions including The Sound of Music, The Tempest and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.

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Taran Matharu – Monster 2

Taran is in Year 9 and this is his fourth production at John Lyon. He is playing the part of Monster 2. He has also taken part in previous productions such as The Sound of Music at the Ryan Theatre, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Tempest as well as others. Taran also takes part in Drama outside School as well as Music lessons. Taran would like to thank all the other cast members for making this production possible and for making it a wonderful experience.

Ollie Hoskins – Monster 3

Ollie is in Year 9 and this is his second production since joining John Lyon. He is playing the King and Monster 3. He also performed as part of the ensemble in Made in Dagenham at the Ryan Theatre. Ollie would like to thank all the teachers, cast members and crew that have made this production possible and hopes everyone enjoys the show.

Syum Shah – Monster 4

Syum is in Year 9 and will be taking Drama at GCSE. This is his second production at John Lyon, and he is playing the part of Monster 4, a mean monster who is helping a boy grieve the death of his mum. He has explored new acting techniques and approaches while rehearsing, which he is looking forward to putting into practice.

Hannah Pyke – Mum

Hannah is a Year 9 Drama scholar who is extremely enthusiastic about drama. She is playing the part of Conor’s Mum in A Monster Calls. It is quite a different experience to be playing a physically weak character as in her previous shows she has played loud and energetic characters, such as Brigitta in The Sound of Music, and Captain Hook in Peter Pan. She has found it fun and rewarding to explore a maternal character and is excited for the performance. She also thanks the cast and crew for creating this exciting experience.

Bella Nanthakumar – Grandma

Bella is a Year 9 pupil who has a deep passion for dance and drama. She has been in shows in and out of School. She took part in the pantomimes Aladdin, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and recently played a dwarf in Snow White with Immersion Theatre at Harrow Arts Centre. Bella is a grade six LAMDA pupil and has been acting since the age of seven. Outside school, she is in an acting agency in a performing arts school. She is excited to be a part of the cast of A Monster Calls.

Sahil Patel – Dad

Sahil is in Year 10 and has participated in many productions at John Lyon including DNA, Oliver! and The Tempest. He thoroughly enjoys drama and performing. He is studying GCSE Drama in which he has learnt many new skills he can apply to his performance. Sahil has been participating in Drama outside school for 11 years. He is playing the role of Dad and has enjoyed the process of creating this drama very much.

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Arun Karunadasa – Harry

Arun is in Year 10 and plays the role of Harry in the play. Last year he took part in the play DNA, where he played the character of Jan, and has been involved with drama at John Lyon since Year 7, also being part of the production of Oliver! in 2021. He hopes to convey the essence of his character, making his performance as realistic as possible.

Sierra Andrews – Sully

Sierra is in Year 8 and has taken part in two productions so far at John Lyon. She is playing the role of Sully, and also formed part of the ensemble in Made in Dagenham. As well as this, she has taken part in our Prep School’s production of Beauty and the Beast where she played the role of Lumiere.

Dhyan Patel – Anton

Dhyan is in Year 8 and is playing the part of Anton. He also took part in this year’s musical production of Made in Dagenham at the Ryan Theatre, playing the part of Graham O’Grady. Other productions include Aladdin, where he played the title role, and Oliver Twist, where he played the lead role of Oliver in his end of Year 6 production. Dhyan also takes part in LAMDA at John Lyon as well as Music. Dhyan would like to thank all the other cast members for making this production possible and he hopes everyone enjoys the show.

Inaya Sadiq – Lily

Inaya is in Year 7 and is a Drama Scholar. She performed in Made in Dagenham at the Ryan Theatre. She has also played the Cat in a production of HONK! Inaya has always had a passion for acting and has won speech competitions from the age of four upwards. Inaya is pleased to be currently playing the part of Lily in A Monster Calls, a character full of life and fun. She would like to thank the staff involved and all her cast members for always being supportive.

Sophia Appleton – Miss Godfrey

Sophia is in Year 8 and this is her second production at John Lyon as she performed as part of the ensemble in Made in Dagenham. She plays Miss Godfrey in A Monster Calls. She has also taken part in productions at Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts. Sophia would like to thank all the other cast members for making this production possible.

Amaroo Brown – Mr Marl

Amaroo is a Year 9 Music and Academic scholar. Amaroo has consistently immersed himself in multiple experiences, including The Sound of Music and Made in Dagenham. He is an enthusiastic performer and believes the performance skills he takes from both music and drama link and aid each other. He wishes to continue his involvement in drama in the future and would like to thank staff and students involved in the production for their enthusiasm and for making the experience fantastic.

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