Wonder Boy
Written by Ross WillisFootage and audience feedback from the 2022 production of Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic, including the original 2022 cast.
Olivier Award-winner Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls) directs the critically-acclaimed Bristol Old Vic production of Wonder Boy by Ross Willis, a heart-warming and inspiring story about the power of communication.
Sonny is twelve. He stammers and is finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and let’s not forget the biggest beast of them all – small talk.
Sonny’s only friend is Captain Chatter, a comic book hero of his own creation, but in the real world language is power, and Sonny must find a way to be heard. When cast in the school production of Hamlet by the Headteacher, he finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks.
Packed with playful humour, dazzling visuals and thrilling original music this innovative production includes live creative captioning on stage throughout.
Winner of the 2023 Writers’ Guild Award for Best Play.
*Discount applies to ‘Standard’, ‘Standard with Babe In Arms’ and ‘18 and Under’ ticket types only (not ‘Open Concession’ or ‘Pay It Forward’)
An audaciously inventive, sparky yet sensitive, giddily enjoyable new play that deserves to be packed to the rafters
The Guardian
It's some kind of wonderful
The Guardian
Boundingly imaginative... a tender, playful drama
The Times
Unmissable
UK Theatre Web
A roller coaster of emotions
Bristol Post
ACCESS
What is Creative Captioning?
Wonder Boy uses “Creative Captioning”. This means that live spoken word is converted into text that appears on a screen at the back of the stage, for D/deaf or hard of hearing audiences. However, different to standard captioning, the text is considered as part of the set design, and may be animated, move across the screen, or appear in different colours and fonts. Find out more
What is a Chilled Performance?
Performances on Thu 12 Sep at 19:30pm and Thu 19 Sep at 2:30pm will be Chilled. A Chilled performance takes a more casual approach to noise and movement in the auditorium. You can leave and re-enter the auditorium as you wish, but the performance itself is unchanged.
FOR SCHOOLS
Free Workshops
Please email Groups & Schools Coordinator, Troy Orchard, on troy.orchard@bristololdvic.org.uk to express your interest in in-school workshops during the run. Workshops are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
NEW! THEATRE SUBSCRIPTION 🎟️
The more you see, the more you save...
- Pay just £120 for a balance of 6 tickets
- Use up to 2 tickets of your balance per Theatre show*
(applicable on Mon & Tue eve and Thu matinee performances) - Potentially HUGE savings with flat £20 tickets!
*Subscriptions are valid for 12 months from the point of purchase and can be used to book any offer applicable show within that timeframe (including those not yet on sale). Some exclusions apply – see Pricing Information page. Tickets do not need to be booked in a single transaction. Only valid on Standard tickets. Click here for full Terms and Conditions.
Photos: Ciara Hillyer
Production photos from the 2022 show with the original 2022 cast. Photos: Steve Tanner
Dates & Times
- 7:30pmCaptioned, (Creative). Pre-show talk at 5.30pm (separate booking required). See Stage Talk webpage for info.From £14
