Summary
The play is an adaptation of one of Terry Pratchett’s many works describing events in the Discworld. Staging a Discworld novel becomes a challenging play of 29 scenes located in a variety of locations, a cast of 36 supported by 2 dragons and an orang-utan. On top of this the Club had to cope with the relocation of the plays' promoter and co director. The club produced a skilfully crafted piece of theatre that was hugely enjoyed by a packed audience.

Report
As a starting point it is helpful, although not essential, to know that in the main Terry Pratchett writes about events on the Discworld, a celestial body that travels through space on the backs of four elephants and is peopled by a somewhat anarchic population of various species.

It is fair to say that the work of Mr Pratchett is hugely imaginative although not universally understood or enjoyed. There can be no doubt that producing this play was tremendously ambitious and I’m sure a huge drain on the company. I shudder to think of the work that Director Giles Checkley and Producer Mark Stannett must have put in to deliver such an all-encompassing show to the standard that they managed to achieve. There were in all some 29 scenes with locations varying between various streets and rooms in Ankh-Morpork to Carrot’s original home. There is a requirement for a huge fire-breathing dragon that toasts various characters. In addition to these challenges is added the requirement for a relatively large cast of 36. I’m sure that Caroline Meer’s disappearance to Leeds was really helpful!

The story is partly told through the eyes of the young Carrot, handsomely played by Richard Frampton, who is sent to Ankh-Morpork [Discworld’s main city] to become a Guard. The narrator ‘footnote’, Julia Coleman, helpfully and humorously provided background or explanations to the goings on by suspending the story with a honk of her horn. The audience learns of the machinations of one Lupine Wonse, a senior functionary in Ankh-Morpork, skilfully delivered by Stephen Childs. Wonse attempts to rid Ankh-Morpork of its leader, The Patrician, who was coolly, calmly and convincingly portrayed by Robert Hartley. Wonse together with his fellow conspirators who are members of a secret society [one of many in the Discworld pantheon] called the "Elucidated Brethren", call up a dragon to terrorise Ankh-Morpork. Wonse then has the dragon defeated by one of his minions who thereby becomes Ankh-Morpork’s King. All seems well until the dragon reappears, kills the King and installs ‘himself’ as King. The denouement comes about when the captain of the guards, effectively performed by Paul Johnson, employs a local sweet little dragon (Errol) to see off the usurper. It transpires that the King is really a Queen and the two dragons go off happy ever after. The Patrician is released and all returns to normal with Carrot revealed somewhat subtly as possibly the real King.

The cast engaged the audience with their acting skills and delivered this complex story together with Pratchett’s full range of one-liners. Good performances were given by all the cast particularly Orna Joseph as Lady Sybil Ramkin. The set and the use of the acting space was very good. The action was varied throughout the area, including the stage right extension, in an interesting way. The props were entirely in keeping with the play and supported the story. The costumes were convincing and who could fault the Orang-utan costume used by the librarian. Special mention must be made of the way in which lighting was used to support the play; it was excellent and really added to the piece.

Stage management was unobtrusive and the transition between scenes was seamless no easy task given the number of scene changes. The front of house team was most welcoming and efficient as were the catering team. I found the programme helpful and the background to the play and the Club were interesting.

The club should be pleased with the reception of the play and the entertainment it gave the audience.