'What use is a boy who can't say his own name?'

Sonny is twelve. Living with a stammer, he is finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and the biggest beast of all - small talk. His only escape is with a comic-book hero of his own creation, who helps Sonny soar above his reality.

But when he's cast by the headteacher in the school production of Hamlet, he soon discovers that language is power - and the real heroes are closer than he thinks.

Wonder Boy, Ross Willis's play about the power of finding your own voice, premiered at Bristol Old Vic in March 2022, directed by Sally Cookson. It was named Best Play at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 2023.

About the Author

Ross Willis's play Wolfie was awarded Best Play at the 2020 Writers' Guild Awards, and Best New Play at the 2020 Off-West End Awards. He is based in Bristol.

Reviews

'Audaciously inventive, sparky yet sensitive, giddily enjoyable... an extraordinary exploration of adolescence... Willis can make quotidian detail startling... Even the stage directions ping... Willis's play unfolds itself in miraculous ways. It's some kind of wonderful'

* Guardian *

'Boundingly imaginative'

* The Times *

'Few things in theatre can match the electricity of a first-night crowd that believes what they've just seen will join the canon. Wonder Boy, by rights, should be on the school curriculum tomorrow... Willis' writing has all the roguish energy of a Year 8 inner-city classroom... Willis has a terrific theatrical imagination and his dialogue also sizzles... a work designed to celebrate and find joy in overcoming adversity. You can't help but be washed along with it'

* WhatsOnStage *

'A welcome treat... as heartwarming and as it is heartbreaking... impressive stuff'

* British Theatre Guide *

'Exhilarating... Ross Willis has a terrific feel for words... inspiring, irrespective of age'

* Observer *


Awards
Winner of Best Play, Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 2023.



Book Information
ISBN 9781848429543
Author Ross Willis
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 116g