Guards!, Guards!

Although I knew Terry Pratchett as an author, I have never read one of his stories therefore it as very useful to have a synopsis of the story in the programme. The play was adapted in 1993 by his friend of 20 years Stephen Briggs. Research told me that Discworld is a comic fantasy world which was a ‘flat planet balanced on the backs of four elephants which in turn stand on the back of a giant turtle’.

We were greeted by an open stage which was set up with three separate large pieces of scenery which were on revolves. These were decorated with doors, the one on stage left had a hatch and was openable but the catch seemed to need sorting out the other two were decorated with cracks with bricks attached. There was a sign stage right showing the entrance to the inn with Pratchetts Ales written and a ‘No Ball Games’ stage left.  The cast were able to enter and exit through bricked flats stage right and left and between the revolves. The revolves worked very well with the addition of other scenery and props such as pictures on the walls to depict a variety of scenes quickly. Other props were numerous and well used the dragon detectors were a gem.

The lighting was used very effectively to enhance the atmosphere and magic during the play. The red with the smoke through it created the effect of flames when the dragon was speaking. The sound was set at an appropriate level with the sound effects working well and it was a great effect to have the speakers behind the audience when the dragon was making proclamations it certainly made us feel as if we were encompassed within the action. I thought your choice of music was ideal.

The costumes were inventive, varied and well-fitting as I would expect from your costume manager. One little point just a personal one I found the inclusion of a blue and white striped modern apron and black jeans a little incongruous amongst all the period clothing. I particularly liked the in house made armour with different images of muscle/no muscle groups and detailed hand operated dragons. It takes time and special skills to be able to create such items, congratulations.

It becomes aware with the assistance of Footnote that all is not as it should be in Ankh-Morpork. It in essence is a realm without a leader/king with various factions following their own designated rules. But problems begin occurring when the members of the secret Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night decided to overthrow the Patrician and install a puppet leader under their command. They intend to summon a dragon and get their leader to slay it and claim they are the heir to the realm.

The arrival of a new idealistic recruit Lance Corporal Carrot begins to influence the member of the Night Watch and when the Librarian explains that a book of magic has been stolen from the library this spurs Captain Wimes to think this is linked to the appearance of the dragon. The plot continues and Wimes and Carrot are joined by Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobbs. They try to protect the city from the dragon, facing various trials and funny incidences.

The opening scene was well played with Carrot and his mother who was resplendent in a magnificent beard as were his siblings. The clean-shaven Carrot was convincingly played by your actor, his speeches were clearly delivered but occasionally spoken a little quickly, just be conscious that some members of the audience may not know the story as well as others. He embodied the character and was very proud of his special sword, protective (when he found where to wear it), and his book about the laws of the cities and he owned a funny birthmark. The dwarves had ensured he was law abiding and conscientious this initially got him into trouble but his moral ways influenced the Captain and Watch members.

The secret brotherhood who was all adorned in long cloaks, which would have benefitted from some sort of closure clip and masks met together to carry out their plans to overthrow the Patrician and restore the monarchy under the leadership of the Grandmaster who certainly had her own agenda. The player depicting the Grandmaster created a clear character with a determined manner and was going to ensure her plan would succeed and constantly buffeted the questions from the others. All the team had specific traits. They brothers were able to summoned the dragon with the aid of Brother Fingers who was able to bring the ’Summoning of Dragons’ book as he worked at the Hidden Library. Brother Plasterer appeared subservient to the Grandmaster, Brother Dunnykin seemed to constantly have a complaint, Brother Doorkeeper was responsible for checking numerous passwords at the hatch and Brother Watchtower one of the cleverer of the group was delighted to assume leadership when the Grandmaster wasn’t present. All but Fingers were incinerated by the dragon they had summoned. The Grandmasters plan worked initially until the dragon returned with her own demands. All the players were well cast and were able to create their own character and interacted within others in the group.

My first impression of the Night Watch was that it was incompetent and corrupt under the leadership of Captain Vimes. What an excellent portrayal your actor gave us he was extremely watchable. Every word he said had purpose and was delivered at a good pace. He embodied the Captain physically, every movement had a purpose and his comic timing was on pointe. If was great to see another side of him with Lady Sybil. Her and Carrot’s ideals changed his opinions and investigation skills and he made a great drunk. Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobbs gave great clear considered performance, the interaction between them was plausible and their comic timing excellent. The Watch faced many challenges between them and many comedy moments evolve.

Vimes had been eventually convinced that there really was a dragon following the brilliant game of charades between the Librarian and Carrot. The actor depicting the orangutan was brilliant she was constantly focused on being her part not once did she sit still. They decide to seek the assistance of Lady Sybil Ramkin who breeds swamp dragons and presented them with Errol; who saved the day. Your player did a grand job, her manipulation of the puppet was exceptional. She also made a commanding dragon.

The Patrician looked the part in his black outfit and created a grounded more subtle performance nothing was hurried he knew what the people wanted. Every speech was delivered with meaning. I enjoyed the conversation between him and Vimes when they were imprisoned.

Lupine Wonse aka the Grandmaster, secretary of the Patrician and childhood friend of Vimes thought she had everything under control until the dragon returned and demanded to be king with all its benefits. Your actor played the part with feeling you could see the variety of emotions from pleasure to despair.

Footnote was an integral part of the story included by Stephen Briggs because of Terry’s fondness for adding them to his text. Your actor popped in to stop the action and inform the audience about specific parts of the specific story. She had a tongue in cheek way of speaking and often a wry smile about the action, just think of the speed of delivery occasionally.

The street seller C.M.O.T. Dibbler was determined that her goods would sell and came up with some pitches to get money. Death appeared on the stage at appropriate moment and completed his allotted task well.

Smaller roles were well covered by members of the main cast and other players in your group.

As I stated at the beginning this story was unknown to me and I must admit some of the twists and turns were a little difficult to follow but away from that your team under your Director’s instruction worked together as a well-oiled machine to produce a well-managed fast moving entertaining show.

Within the strange tale the humor shone through.  In summary the story included a society who summoned dragons and the Night Watch who through many comedic circumstances were able to protect the city by Carrot’s literal following of orders and what was their reward ‘A modest pay raise, a new tea kettle and a dartboard’.

I may not be a fan of the writing of Terry Pratchett but maybe this play will encourage me to buy one of the books and read it. But I could tell by the reactions in the audience and conversations afterwards that many were captivated by your performance.

Many thanks for an entertaining evening and congratulations to all your team.

 

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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