Reviews

From Fringe Benefits. Full review here: http://www.fringebenefits.com.au/?p=1220 Local director Pamela Munt … presents a coherent cast of fourteen talented actors; an appealing versatile set and complementary soundtrack. Working through a well written witty script, the cast, led ably by Paul Briske (Moist Von Lipwig) and Mark Ormsby (Mr Bent), perform convincingly and maintain fairly consistent British accents. The cast do not just present Pratchett’s fantasy world, rather they engage and involve the audience in it. The Bakehouse Theatre’s stage space is certainly optimised for this occasion. The set incorporates different levels; it looks like scaffolding set up against the back… Read more

Waves of laughter roll around the Bakehouse. Unseen Theatre Company’s latest production is bang on the money. Pamela Munt’s adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s 36th Discworld novel Making Money, is thoroughly knowing, eminently funny and altogether fabulous. By some tight direction and remarkable casting she fuses her amateur players into two hours of hilarity. Admittedly, there’s more ham on the stage in this farce than at Paul Keating’s pig farm. But that’s how it should be, as the ensemble grapples with Pratchett’s delicious parody. Unseen’s timing is almost perfect and the ensemble proves that “Sometimes glass glitters more than diamonds because… Read more

A new benchmark has been set as Unseen Theatre, Adelaide’s resident Terry Pratchett experts, present the best Discworld play this side of A’Tuin. The Australian premiere of Stephen Brigg’s stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s novel is funnier than most and superbly realised by director Pamela Munt. No previous Discworld play in this city has come close. The Discworld is a fantasy land riding on the back of space-faring turtle A’Tuin. In this world where anything is possible, our own society is often reflected through the eyes of misfit characters and sentient creatures. Steve Parker is Albert Spangler, AKA Moist Von… Read more

Time travelling chuckle UNLIKE his other novels, Terry Pratchett’s 27th Discworld story relies on its readers already knowing the characters who populate his fantasy land. It is also the least funny of the series to date, following the tribulations of Commander Samuel Vimes as he tracks down his nemesis when they are both accidentally sent back in time by 30 years. In order to save his own timeline, Vimes must steer his younger self on the right path in life and stop his enemy from changing the past. Stephen Briggs’ stage adaptation is surprisingly disappointing, relying heavily on good characterisations… Read more

Unseen Theatre Company, who specialises in Terry Pratchett, was fortunate enough to be given the script for this play prior to being published. Subsequently, what an opportunity to see an Australian premiere from Pratchett, who Director Pamela Munt says is the world’s best selling author alive today. Love them or hate them, Pratchett plays have a lot going for them and Night Watch is no exception. Night watch is a fun explosive play, full of wit. The clever script along with Munt’s direction makes the play fast paced and easy to follow. Without being exceptional, Unseen has given the play… Read more

It is not easy to transpose a television comedy onto the stage. Unseen Theatre Company have taken on the challenge with the staging of “Men Behaving Badly”. There is much to like about this production. Set in the intimate annex of the Bakehouse Theatre, the audience is forgiven for feeling part of the living room depiction. The first episode deals with the weighty issue of whether bridge officers of Star Trek really do swivel around in their chairs when no one is looking. This episode makes the better transition to the stage. While Adam Morgan in the role of Gary… Read more

NO doubt fans of the popular British sitcom will enjoy this live theatre version of two episodes of Men Behaving Badly. For the uninitiated: Gary and Tony (Adam Morgan and Steve Weyland) are two idiotic 30-something house mates, both in relationships but still the eternal bachelors, staying up late to watch Star Trek and discussing which female celebrity has the best bum. Dorothy and Deborah (Victoria Mazzone and Pamela Munt) are their beleaguered girlfriends, who reluctantly join in these activities on the communal couch. Not surprisingly the women are the weakest characters in the show, playing the ‘straight’ roles to… Read more

Only in a Terry Pratchett story, would you find Death taking on an apprentice in order to have a night off. This is the premise for Unseen Theatre Company’s latest production, directed by Pamela Munt. Adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs, Pratchett’s discworld novel is both witty and clever giving the cast an ample base from which to grow. Tim Bates as the title role is a down-and-out, taken on as Death’s apprentice. With suitable awkwardness and bewilderment, Mort is tutored in the workings of the underworld. Bates keeps up the momentum of the role well, but lacks the… Read more

TERRY Pratchett’s tale of Death’s apprentice Mort, and his sentimental approach to his job, has been presented in many forms. Stephen Briggs’s adaptation, though, has an eye strictly for Pratchett’s funniest lines, while paying patchy attention to the plot. Unseen Theatre Company is a good example of young people’s community theatre having a good night out. The production is all over the place but from the front-of-house vendors to the cheery door prize presentations and the very strange dance number from Les Miserables, there is a winning good-heartedness to the whole. The audience responded in kind on opening night and… Read more

Misadventures of Death’s deputy DEATH came to Mort – he offered him a job. With that outlandish premise, Pamela Munt unfolds Unseen Theatre’s snappiest production to date, outlining the misadventures of Death’s apprentice. Terry Pratchett’s fourth Discworld novel is adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs. Sam James plays the Grim Reaper with all the dry wit and childlike innocence that makes this towering character a favourite among many Discworld fans. The reverberation on his voice adds a gleefully gruesome touch to his perfected delivery. In the title role, Tim Bates looks out of his depth, but rightly so given… Read more