Trigger Warnings: Abuse, Violence, Grief
How much control do we have over who we are and what we become? Does the past define our future? Can we ever forget who we once were, escape our past mistakes and start again? Or are we doomed to be haunted, hounded and hunted forever?
Those are the questions asked at Monster, the award-winning winning play currently being performed at London’s Seven Dials Playhouse. The show revival comes after the unshrinking play received its world premiere at Park Theatre in 2022, and explores the devastating effects of the cycle of abuse and poses the question of forgiveness when an unspeakable act of violence is committed.
Directed by Kevin Tomlinson, Monster tells the story of troubled teen Kayleigh Grey (played impeccably by Abigail Hood, who also wrote the piece). The first act is set in Glasgow in 2006, and follows Kayleigh’s intense relationship/friendship with best friend Zoe (Lauren Downie). Over the course of the act, we get a glimpse into Kayleigh’s dark and abusive childhood, largely at the hands of her mum Hazel (Sarah Waddell).
We also discover her fraught relationship with teacher Rebecca Hastie (Lisa Ellis), who, despite being told to keep away, is drawn into her chaotic world. A series of tragic events unfold, leading to a truly harrowing and life changing moment for all involved. The second act picks up over a decade later, as consequences are faced. This culminates in a series of painful discussions about justice and forgiveness, and the long term impact of an unfathomable action.
Monster is an intense and thought-provoking play which is incredibly captivating, and at times, truly shocking. Whilst there are humorous scenes throughout, especially in the first act, these moments were often shattered in an instant by devastating revelations. Moments so distressing that it made the audience, including myself, audibly gasp. This is not a comfortable play by any means, and it leaves you questioning how you would react in such a situation and who the real ‘monster’ is.
Abigail Hood is a vision as Kayleigh – she perfectly nails every emotion whether it’s fear, happiness, infatuation, or blind rage. As the writer of the play, she brings the difficult story to life sensitively and really gets under the audience’s skin. Her chemistry with Lauren Downie, who plays Zoe, is brilliant, and the pair are a force to be reckoned with during the first act. Lisa Ellis really pulls at your heartstrings with a gut-wrenching turn as Rebecca Hastie, whilst Sarah Waddell makes you love to hate her as Kayleigh’s abused, yet abusive, mum Hazel.
The play has a fairly stripped back set, featuring walls covered with newspaper articles which details stories about abuse. This sets the tone from the off, but is accentuated by the use of props throughout. There is also short clips of music between scenes which can sometimes be distracting, however, the pre-show and interval playlist features some intriguing song choices which seemingly tie in with the question of who the real villain is within the story.
Personally, it would have been interesting to visit some of Kayleigh’s rehabilitation rather than fast forward to the present day, however, the scenes between her and Mrs Hastie later on are incredibly powerful. The final scene also bookends the play nicely but everyone will interpret it differently. It feels frustrating at times but you can also see why Abigail chose to end it this way.
It’s likely that Monster will make you question your pre-conceived thoughts and offers a compelling insight into all sides of the story, especially ones you might not consider. The six-strong cast each play a huge part in this, including Kevin Tomlinson as John Parker, who only knows Kayleigh post rehabilitation, and Steve Hay as Stevie Hastie, Rebecca’s husband who’s moved on with his life.
Monster isn’t black and white – it impactfully highlights a grey area when it comes to justice and forgiveness whilst shining a light on some incredibly distressing themes. It’s important to go in there with an open mind and to prepare yourself to be invested in the lives of these characters. It’s a play that will undoubtedly open up a lot of conversations and have you thinking about its content for days after.
Monster is playing at Seven Dials Playhouse until October 18. Remaining tickets available here.
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Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Monster is supporting and supported by Advance, a charity that supports women and girls affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, including those in contact with the criminal justice system. Advance provides advocacy, practical support, and services to help women rebuild their lives. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit www.advancecharity.org.uk