Theatre club takes to stage

From the Northumberland Gazette: Theatre club takes to stage

Alnwick Theatre Club is staging Terry Pratchett’s famous novel Wyrd Sisters for its 2012 summer show.
The play, based on the book by the master storyteller, has been adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs.
It is a tale from Pratchett’s famous Discworld series, featuring several of his classic characters, including the witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick.
These three witches must rise to the occasion when the ambitious Lord and Lady Felmet murder King Verence of Lancre and usurp his throne.
After Granny, Nanny and Magrat are handed a baby and crown, they are embroiled in a fantastic tale of demons, magic spells, actors, playwrights, love and destiny, in order to save the kingdom and put the right man on the throne.
Daniel Watkins, who is directing the play, is sure it will go down well with show-goers.
He said: “We think we have the makings of a very exciting and enjoyable show and it should be a treat for our audience. I have been a huge fan of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld for a number of years and when the opportunity arose for Alnwick Theatre Club to take on one of his classic books, I couldn’t resist.”
Playwright Stephen Briggs has adapted Pratchett’s original story into a stage show which stays very true to the original.
It features all the hilarious jokes, one-liners and cameo appearances that fans and aficionados will expect, while ensuring the play is accessible and just as much fun to those who have never picked up a Pratchett novel before.
Daniel added: “This adaptation of Wyrd Sisters by Stephen Briggs has everything that makes Pratchett, Pratchett – classic characters like Granny Weatherwax, hilarious minor characters like the Sergeant of the Guard, brilliant one-liners, plenty of plot twists and a fantastic story.”
Wyrd Sisters features a huge list of characters and the cast has risen to the occasion, with many reading the novel between rehearsals in order to get the measure of their characters.
Several cast members will also have to cope with multiple speedy costume changes, which is sure to make for an impressive spectacle on stage.
Club chairman Peter Biggers said: “Taking on a large cast play or at least a play with a large amount of characters like Wyrd Sisters can be both a challenge and an opportunity for a relatively small troupe of thespians such as ourselves.
“Daniel, in choosing to stage the play, has created a great opportunity for the club which has attracted a number of new members to join us.
“Despite the injection of new blood, there is still the challenge of covering the large number of colourful characters in Wyrd Sisters. However, the added comedy that arises out of doubling and the rapid character and costume changes that result is what makes the production for me.”
While the club has welcomed new recruits, it is also saying a fond farewell to Jade Curran and Hannah Firth who are taking their final club curtain calls – for the time being at least – before moving away to study law and contemporary theatre/performance respectively.