This week, Darren goes backstage with Abigail Hood, the acclaimed writer behind Monster, a gripping and thought-provoking drama exploring the ripple effects of crimes committed in childhood, forgiveness, and the cycles of trauma.

Monster – Seven Dials Playhouse

Presented by Veritas Theatre Company and KEPOW! Theatre Company, Monster is a triple OFFIE-nominated and one OFFIE-winning production, directed by Kevin Tomlinson. Set across two decades, the play follows Kayleigh, a troubled teenager growing up in Glasgow, whose intense friendship with Zoe offers an escape from her abusive home. As events spiral tragically out of control - including Kayleigh taking the life of her teacher’s baby daughter—the play probes questions of culpability, rehabilitation, and whether someone raised in violence is destined to repeat it.

Drawing on extensive research into cases like Mary Bell, Jon Venables, and Robert Thompson, Monster interrogates society’s role in supporting vulnerable young people, the limits of forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption. The revived production features a six-strong cast, including two members of the original award-winning ensemble, bringing fresh perspectives to Hood’s searing script.

Backstage Interview with Abigail Hood

Darren sits down with Abigail Hood to discuss the inspiration behind Monster, her research into real-life cases, and the moral complexities that the play explores. Hood shares her reflections on what drives a child to commit acts of extreme violence, how such individuals can navigate life afterward, and the profound questions of guilt, forgiveness, and redemption that underpin her work.

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