Women’s Aid, the UK’s leading charity working to end domestic abuse, has produced a story you’d never want to read to your children. But it’s a story that’s not fiction for many.
The Monster Who Came to Tea was created by House 337 to pressure the UK government to re-evaluate funding for domestic abuse support services ahead of the Spring Spending Review. Inspired by a beloved children’s book, the illustrated children’s book tells the harrowing story of a mother and daughter experiencing domestic abuse, seen through the eyes of a young girl named Lily. As the story unfolds, it delivers a devastating twist – the ‘monster’ is not a fictional creature but a father – exposing the harsh reality faced by thousands of women and children across the UK.
Merman Branded and Passion Pictures co-produced the film, that was directed by awarded filmmaker, Guy Manwaring, with composer, Stuart Hancock. The film, that transitions from live-action to animation, was created in collaboration with Tulips & Chimneys, and is narrated by acclaimed actress Anne-Marie Duff (Bad Sisters).
The full campaign includes a film, OOH, social and the book. The film will be distributed across social media and cinema, with screenings in Pearl & Dean cinemas across the UK. OOH activations will emulate a classic book launch, featuring teaser quotes designed to spark audience engagement and encourage signatures for an open letter to the UK government.
Josh Green, chief creative officer, House 337 commented: “Creativity has the power to shine a light on critical issues. By reimagining a beloved children’s book, we hope to create an emotional and lasting impact that compels both the public and policymakers to take action.”
Nazeer, chief executive, Women’s Aid, commented, “Countless women and their children live in fear every day and this must change. We’re calling on the government to take urgent action and provide adequate funding for the lifesaving domestic abuse services that support those fleeing abuse. By signing our open letter, you can show your solidarity with women and their children fleeing abuse, and spark change this International Women’s Day. The Monster Who Came to Tea is not a story anyone would choose to read to their children, but sadly for many, this tale is not fiction. The Government’s pledge to halve violence against women in a decade will require tangible actions and not empty words.”
In a campaign first and as part of their long-term commitment to ending domestic abuse, Women’s Aid has created lesson plans for schools. The plans draw on The Monster Who Came to Tea to help educate children and young people about how to spot the signs of unhealthy relationships. The lesson plans are currently being rolled out in partner schools as part of the PSHE curriculum, with the ambition of being available for schools to download more widely later this year. This initiative aims to educate the next generation about domestic abuse, equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to recognise and seek help for harmful situations.
Women’s Aid is calling on the public to sign an open letter to Keir Starmer, urging the government to prioritise funding for specialist domestic abuse services in the Spring Spending Review. Alongside the letter, a copy of the book will be sent to Downing Street as a powerful statement on the need for systemic change.
Lucy Freedman, Chief Growth Officer, House 337 added: “The Monster Who Came to Tea isn’t just a campaign – it’s a movement. By integrating an educational component, we’re ensuring this conversation continues beyond the campaign’s lifespan and into the classroom, helping to shape a future free from domestic abuse.”
Production notes:
Siobhan Murphy, EP, Merman, explained, “When Paul Hancock and Dave Newbold at House 337 first shared their brilliant script for Women’s Aid, I knew we had to do everything we could to help bring it to life. It’s such a powerful story, and their idea of telling it through the medium of live action and animation was hugely appealing.
Guy Manwaring had been working with the team on other projects previously and so collaborated with them early on to help shape the narrative story to be as succinct and impactful as possible. Our huge challenge was how to produce it without funding attached. It was clear that this would be a year-long labour of love, and we needed the right animation partner to make it happen.
“Fortuitously, Passion Pictures is based in the same building as Merman, and I already had a relationship with Juliette Stern. When we approached her to partner with us, she matched our enthusiasm for the project and introduced us to the incredible animators Tulips and Chimneys who then joined us on this journey. Their unwavering dedication and time given throughout has been extraordinary. Guy directed the live action and remained closely involved throughout the animation process, working alongside Passion and the creatives to ensure every detail was just right.
“It was a monumental effort from everyone involved, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the end result. The final touch was having Anne-Marie Duff (from Merman’s Bad Sisters), lend her voice to the project. Her deep connection to the subject matter made it all the more meaningful, and knowing this film will be shown in schools to educate young people about domestic abuse is something we are all incredibly proud to be a part of.”
Juliette Stern, EP, Passion Pictures, added, “We were absolutely thrilled to be invited to work on the Women’s Aid film with Merman and House 337. We knew it was an incredibly powerful story that needed to be told sensitively and in an age-appropriate fashion, given the breadth and potential reach of the campaign. Tulips & Chimneys’ charming, hand-illustrated style seemed like the perfect fit to bring this storybook script to life, making the meaning of the film even more impactful. These issues can affect all of us, either indirectly or directly, and we’re so proud to be part of a project like this.”
Credits:
Client: Women’s Aid
Agency: House 337
Chief Creative Officer: Josh Green
Creative Director: Christopher Ringsell
Associate Creative Director: Louise Canham
Senior Creatives: Paul Hancock & Dave Newbold
Heads of Production: Sue Lee-Stern & Victoria Fischer
Senior Producer: Tash Dean
Project Director: Chelsea Chapman
Project Manager: Imogen Ryan
Chief Growth Officer: Lucy Freedman
Business Director: Katherine Thompson
Senior Account Directors: Marianne Roberts & Nick Cooper
Account Manager: Siena Singh
Head of Strategy: Georgie Murray-Burton
Strategy Director: Laura Sammarco
Senior Strategists: Abbey Gaunt & Kathryn Loosley
Creatives: Poppy Cumming-Spain & Michael Arthey
Head of Design: Matt Sanders
Senior Designer: Marina Suprunova
Senior Motion Designer: Nick Dinnen
Head of Business Affairs: Julie Lagden
Business Affairs Manager: Jade Bailey
PR: Mischief
Director & Head of Partnerships: Vicky Purnell
Account Manager: Mary Dulwich
Production Company: Merman Branded
Partners & Executive Producers: Siobhan Murphy & Spencer Dodd
Director: Guy Manwaring
Producer: Simon Monhemius
Production Manager: Harriet Staples
Location Manager: Damon Crane
1st Assistant Director: Sam Dawking
Runner: Amal Tinti
Trainee Runner: Felix Orr
Director of Photography: Simon Richards
Focus Puller: Hopi Demattio
2nd AC: Harry Bennett
Key Grip: Rob Barlow
DIT: Rob Gilmour
Animation: Passion Pictures
Director: Tulips and Chimneys
Design & Animation: Judy & Giavorne @ Muse & Doodle
Producer & Executive Producer: Juliette Stern
Executive Producer of New Business: Belle Palmer
Post-Production: Creative Outpost
Executive Producer: Caroline McNulty
Colourist: Mark Horrobin
Wrangle: Zoe Francis
VFX: James ‘Krispy’ Cornwall
Sound: Dave Robinson
Transfer: Eoin O’Hagan
Editing: Work Editorial
Editor: Charlie Moreton
Edit Producer: Lola Cookman
Typographer Agency: Jelly
Global Head of Integrated Production: Ross Frame
Hand lettering Artist: Alison Carmichael
Composer: Stuart Hancock
Production House: Curious Productions
DOP: Dan Humphreys
Partner School: Burntwood School
Printer: Optimise
