Feral Monster | National Theatre Wales

About Feral Monster

4 Stars
Original and smart... The hope, angst and anger will appeal to anyone who is, or has ever been, adolescent.
The Stage

A banging new musical about an unremarkable teenager.

Expelled from school and not even able to get a job at the chippy, Jax (she/they/whatever) is a cocky, loveable teen living with her Nan in a tiny, boring village.

When Jax meets Ffion, with her smart talk and loud looks, sparks fly. Queer teenage lust brings together this unlikely match in all its messy, clumsy and awesome glory.

Feral Monster follows Jax and her noisy, opinionated brain as they navigate love, identity, class and family.

Mashing up grime, R&B, soul, pop and rap, the soundtrack takes us from the high highs to low lows of the hormonal rollercoaster of adolescence.

"We're trying to tell a story that is queer, that is Welsh, that is rural." - Bethan Marlow

4 Stars
A roaring success.
Buzz Magazine

4 Stars
[A] resounding achievement.
IWA - Welsh Agenda

Theatre at its most challenging and best.
Ents South Wales

Entertaining but also thought-provoking… with an impressive cast.
LGBTQymru

From the onset, you just know you’re watching something significant, important and groundbreaking.

A rhythmically charged, visually stunning, and intensely hilarious experience.
Klat Magazine

Feral Monster is sponsored by the Principality Building Society and supported by PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund, John Ellerman Foundation, as part of NTWs’ Dramaturg programme, Jack Arts and by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is being administered by Cardiff Council.

Image gallery

Our work with young people

Two individuals are sitting on swings and leaning back until they’re almost lying down. They’re both smiling.

Education resources

Ten individuals are gathered in a lounge area. They're all smiling at the camera and making different gestures with their hands.

Feral Fest

Additional information

Tour

15 - 24 February, Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

29 February - 1 March, Aberystwyth Arts Centre

6 - 7 March, Pontio, Bangor

13 March, Ffwrnes, Llanelli

21 - 22 March, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon

Accessibility

BSL

All BSL performances are interpreted by Nikki Champagnie Harris on stage left.

Watch the BSL trailer

Audio description and touch tours

Audio described performances and touch tours are provided by Owen Pugh.

Listen to the audio described flyer for information on the show and listen to our audio introduction to hear descriptions of the characters, stage and props with accompanying images.

Touch Tours offer an opportunity for blind or partially-sighted audiences to familiarise themselves with the set, props and costumes ahead of the performance.

Relaxed performance

Audiences can move around, talk and vocalise as needed
The outer doors into the foyer are open throughout the show
The auditorium house lights are switched on during the show at a low level
Ear defenders are available to loan for free from the Box Office team and Ushers in the auditorium
A ‘chill out zone’ (the Camerados Public Living Room) in the foyer is available to use whenever needed.

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Sherman Theatre

There will be:

a touch tour and audio described performance on 20 and 21 February
BSL interpretation on 20 and 24 February
a relaxed performance on 22 February.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre

There will be a touch tour and audio described performance on 29 February.

Pontio, Bangor

There will be:

a touch tour and audio-described performance on 6 March
BSL interpretation on 7 March.

Ffwrnes, Llanelli

There will be BSL interpretation on 13 March.

Content information

Feral Monster is recommended for 14+. It contains strong language as well as:

References to: exploration of gender identity and sexuality, pornography, sex, death, self harm, childhood trauma, mental ill health, poverty and drugs.

Depictions of: alcoholism, violence, knife crime, sexual activity.

Theatrical representation of: suicide

With thanks to Ayesha Rees Khan, a counsellor who read through the script and gave advice on the content information.

Audience care

There will be gender-neutral toilets in each venue.

This show contains themes that might affect people in different ways. So, we’re hosting Camerados Public Living Rooms at each tour venue, which has been designed in collaboration with Cara Evans, Feral Monster’s Set and Costume Designer. These living rooms are welcoming spaces designed for human connection – or at the least a paned (cuppa) and a chat! We’re here for anyone who wants to chat, either about the show or just generally, to join us before and after the performance – you'll find us on the comfy sofa.

Camerados is a social movement made up of people who think being a bit more human is a good idea. Their Public Living Rooms are welcoming, no-agenda places for folks to sit down with a cuppa, have a chat, and feel more human.

Mental health support

There are many brilliant mental health services out there, including Papyrus, who we’ve consulted with on the project. PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. They believe that no young person should have to struggle alone with thoughts of suicide.