Print this

Pratchett Pieces Three
Unseen Theatre Company
Bakehouse Theatre
Until 24th February 2012

Few theatrical companies do Discworld justice; even fewer do something inventive and exciting with Sir Terry Pratchett's stories. That leaves Pamela Munt and her Unseen Theatre Company alone in doing something great, witty and enthralling with the author's short-stories. With its presentation of Pratchett Pieces Three, as usual, Unseen delivers the goods in fine style, with thrills and giggles a plenty in Munt's wonderful adaptations of five of Sir Terry's petite tales.

The cast act with such energy and gleeful panache that it's difficult not to scream with laughter. Yet these farces are not the normal Marxist - the Groucho variety not the other type - mayhem that one expects because these fables are more picaresque in character and characterisation.

The oddball personalities are a delight, from Munt's portrayal of Granny Weatherwax's headology, to Michelle Wichelo's pragmatic Nanny Ogg and other members of the ensemble stepping more to the fore including Kate Hall (Mistress Shimmy) and Samm Blackmore as Footnote. There's an obvious love for their subject because everyone gets Pratchett beautifully right, so that one is all the time aware of the satirical intent behind the delicious fun.

There are five different stories, from one awfully talented mind, made real by a group that inspires laughter because the company is full of life and heart. If you like your satire written with smarts, and clever, mature, and a satisfying edge to it, then this is the show for you. The appeal is obvious and the result is a production that is solidly entertaining.

Stephen Davenport - Indaily