Reviews

The Truth Review by Allison Thomas “The Truth shall make ye free” is the basis of the latest play, adapted by Stephen Briggs, based on another of Terry Pratchett’s books performed by Unseen Theatre, directed and produced by Pamela Munt. It was enlightening to finally see Hugh O’Connor’s “real” face, after his many disguises as other characters and creatures in previous Pratchett plays I have seen. His stage presence and depiction of William de Worde, the intrepid journalist, was excellent. Danny Sag also provided lots of laughs with his clever accent as the reformed vampire Otto Chriek. And Pamela Munt’s… Read more

BROADWAY WORLD Review: THE TRUTH at Bakehouse Theatre Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Saturday 28th October 2017. Sir Terry Pratchetts, The Truth, is, like all of his writing, so funny that the viewer, or reader, forgets the depth and darkness of the underlying truth. This story is set in the city of Ankh-Morpork, where William de Worde, played by Hugh O’Connor, finds his stride as a teller of truth and, finally, a purveyor of stories that may or not be truth. When the idea of mass dissemination of information to the population comes to the Discworld, only the Patrician, Lord Vetinari, once… Read more

The Truth By Terry Pratchett, adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs. Unseen Theatre Company. The Bakehouse Theatre. October 27-November 11, 2017 The Truth is the 25th novel in the Discworld series by esteemed English author Terry Pratchett, and adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs. Director Pamela Munt has assembled a large cast to bring its absurd mix of characters to life in Unseen Theatre Company’s production. William de Worde (Hugh O’Connor) is the town’s journalist. With the help of two dwarves (Leighton James and Alycia Rabig), a vampire (Danny Sag) and a fair maiden (Natalie Haigh) he produces… Read more

Messenger Newspapers 5/5/04 Witch Joins the ‘Phantom’ There is a phantom in the opera of Ankh Morpork who happens to write musicals about it. But can he be the same villian that is bumping off the staff? That is the mystery of Maskerade, Stephen Briggs’ adaptation of the Terry Pratchett novel of the same name.  In the fantasy land of Discworld, two witches get caught in the mystery while tracking down a potential third member for their coven who has run away to join the opera. Pamela Munt has come into her own, making no-nonsense witch Granny Weatherwax an endearing… Read more

Adelaide Theatre Guide Maskerade – Unseen Theatre Company “Maskerade” is the 22nd novel in the weird and wacky Discworld series from popular and prolific British author Terry Pratchett. Pratchett has written many novels and won major awards for his science fiction/fantasy series. And then there are the plays  – the adaptations of the novels by Stephen Briggs. It’s no wonder that Pratchett aficciaonados have gained momentum, showing signs of the same zeal that colours other enthusiasts such as Star Trek and Lord of the Rings Fans. Unseen Theatre Company has exposed itself to the enthusiasm of such fans, as well… Read more

Unseen Theatre Company’s stage adaptation of Terry Pratchet’s The Last Continent premiered to an enthusiastic Bakehouse Theatre audience on October 10. Set in Fourecks – a place very like Australia, but which is not Australia – the overall feel is something like a cross between Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Harry Potter. Director Pamela Munt has done a good job of adapting the novel for stage and condensing the rather complex plot into a two-hour show. The play opens in Discworld (“a place where anything can happen or even not happen”), where the wizards of the Unseen University are… Read more

Unseen Theatre Company provides another rousing and hilarious incursion into the fantastical Discworld with its latest production The Last Continent. For the first time, Sir Terry Pratchett has given director, Pamela Munt, permission to adapt his novel for the stage. The result is a play that is arguably the finest Unseen has staged, which means it’s something rather extraordinary indeed. Rincewind – the incompetent and cowardly Wizard – returns, and this time he’s a bonza – sheep shearing, horse riding, and beer swigging, swagman. He’s aided by a talking kangaroo in a land called XXXX (fourecks) that seems very similar… Read more

Unseen Theatre Company and their tireless director Pamela Munt take on yet another Pratchett challenge. This time Pamela Munt has done her own adaptation and she knows the territory, and the venue really well. The major action of the play has been seriously simplified. She takes a hatchet to Pratchett and clears the way for some very sound laughs and some good solid performances.The on stage camaraderie smoothes over any rough bits. As before it really does help if you’ve read the book so a) you know what’s going on and B) you can admire the skill with which she’s… Read more

After much urging, from just about everybody, Pamela Munt, the Artistic Director of the Company, has finally taken the plunge and, instead of trying to make one of Stephen Briggs’s unworkable scripts come together as a performance, she has talked Sir Terry Pratchett into allowing her to adapt his 22nd novel in the Discworld series. Written in 1998, this one is set largely in the drought-ridden land of XXXX, generally referred to as Fourecks, where rain is an alien concept, sitting neatly under the heading of Myths and Legends. Fourecks, which bears a rather remarkable resemblance to Australia, but is… Read more

A standout performance from Ann Portus in the roles of Topsy Lavish and Miss Drapes; nice cameos by Fiona Lardner as Evita-ish socialite, Pucci Lavish, and Pamela Munt as a throaty Mr Toad-like lawyer; and a well portrayed Gladys, the Golem from Jessica Barlow… Philip Lineton looks and sounds the part… his “Igor” … is very funny. Paul Briske as ‘golden’ boy Moist Von Lipwig keeps the momentum flowing well and displays great comic flair.