There was a degree whereas watching Monster on the Park Theatre after I realised I had my hand over my mouth. What was unfolding on stage was surprising, and I have not had a response like that to a play for fairly some time.
Caitlin Fielding and Abigail Hood in Monster, Park Theatre Aug 22. Photo credit score: Ben Wilkin
Abigail Hood’s new play is about in Glasgow in 2006 and follows teenager Kayleigh ‘Kay’ Grey (performed by Hood) and her finest pal Zoe (Caitlin Fielding). Zoe is quiet and shy and will get bullied, and Kay is vulnerable to retaliate on her behalf. However, the retaliations are inclined to get her into more and more severe bother.
One trainer, Mrs Hastie (Emma Keele), thinks Kay is at coronary heart a great particular person, however one thing is happening to make her act up. She is making an attempt to construct belief so Kay will open up.
But earlier than Mrs Hastie can discover out if her hunch is correct, occasions begin to spiral uncontrolled with horrific penalties.
(I’m being intentionally obscure as I do not need to spoil something.)
The construction of the play means it builds to a crucial occasion, however moderately than that being in the direction of the top, it permits time to deal extra absolutely with the results. And that is what makes this actually fascinating.
Abigail Hood and Gillian Kirkpatrick in Monster, Park Theatre Aug 22. Photo credit score: Ben Wilkin
It is not about forgiving or forgetting, it is about how you reside with one thing horrible you could by no means escape from. And how a lot of that’s truthful.
The darkish extremes depicted jogged my memory a bit of of a few of Philip Ridley’s performs, simply with out the fantasy or dystopian settings.
Monster offers with some powerful subjects a few of which could be triggering (finest to examine with the theatre). However, it would not really feel prefer it’s making an attempt to shock for the sake of it however moderately to provide meals for thought. And there was loads of that, notably round how far previous experiences mitigate or generate sympathy.
Brilliantly written and carried out, it’s a gripping and highly effective play and I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Monster, Park Theatre
Writer: Abigail Hood
Director: Kevin Tomlinson
Running time: 2 hours and 5 minutes, together with an interval
Booking till 20 August, for extra particulars and to purchase tickets, head to the Park Theatre web site.
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