Wyrd Sisters

­­Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters, adapted by Stephen Briggs, is a satirical take on Macbeth. In a kingdom ruled by a corrupt Duke and Duchess who murder the king, three witches secretly smuggle away the king’s baby son, entrusting him to a traveling theatre troupe and hiding the crown. Trusting that destiny will set things right, they cast a spell to freeze time for fifteen years. With the help of colourful characters, the witches work to expose the king’s murder and bring about the Duke’s downfall.

The set was cleverly designed to handle numerous scene changes, with projections effectively shifting the atmosphere. Unfortunately, some scene transitions felt a bit slow, occasionally disrupting the production’s pacing and leaving certain scenes feeling too brief, making it challenging to regain momentum.

The costumes were fabulous, adding depth and vibrancy to each character and enhancing the magical, whimsical atmosphere of the play. The ghost’s costume was particularly striking, capturing an ethereal, haunting quality that perfectly suited the character’s spectral nature. Equally impressive was the demon’s costume, which was both imaginative and expertly executed, adding a clever, memorable element to the production.

The lighting set each scene professionally, adding tension and depth to the stage. The sound effects were well-timed, though at times they cut off abruptly, which ended some scenes quicker than expected. While subtle, I did find the constant background noise for each scene a bit distracting at times.

At the heart of the play were the three witches: ‘Granny Weatherwax,’ played by Jane Sayer; ‘Nanny Ogg,’ played by Niamh McGrogan; and ‘Magrat,’ played by Jemima Greed - and what a powerful trio they made! Each actor crafted a distinct, memorable character, but together as a coven, they were absolutely mesmerizing. Their chemistry, stage presence, and impeccable comedic timing made them a perfect fit for these roles. The synergy between them brought an extra layer of magic to their performance.

‘Duke Felmet’ was absolutely amazing in this complex, mentally unstable role. I was hooked on every word and even found myself wincing during the scenes where you inflicted pain to your hands. Your portrayal was wonderfully strong and charismatic, full of expressive facial moments, and you stayed fully in character from start to finish. My favourite part was your long, drawn-out death scene - it was so funny! Honestly, I think you could have extended it even further, as the audience was absolutely loving it

The cruel and power-hungry ‘Duchess' was portrayed to perfection. Your strong characterisation brought a striking intensity to the role, capturing the Duchess’s cold-hearted ambition and ruthless cunning flawlessly. Every gesture, every narrowed glance, conveyed the Duchess’s dark ambition and relentless drive to seize power at any cost.

Thre portrayal of the Fool was intriguing and clearly crafted with a lot of care. I appreciated the subtle nuances he brought to the character, adding depth and complexity. At times, though, some of the lines were a bit hard to catch, which made a few moments challenging to fully appreciate. Overall, I could see the dedication behind the role, and a bit more volume would only enhance the impact.

The actor ooked suitably ghostly as the late ‘King Verence,’ effortlessly embodying the spectral presence of a ruler caught between realms. Your performance struck a perfect balance of regality and vulnerability, skilfully mingling with the various characters while observing the power struggles and plotting that would ultimately determine his successor.

The role of ‘Hwel' was undoubtedly a challenging one - not only requiring you to remain on your knees throughout and navigate the stage in that position, but also demanding a strong vocal presence. While the commitment to the physicality of the role was evident, occasionally I struggled to hear your voice fully, which unfortunately made some of your lines harder to hear, which was a shame.

There was a strong supporting cast, with actors seamlessly doubling up on roles and morphing effortlessly from one character to another, which kept the story flowing and added richness to the production. Special commendation goes to Sarah, who truly put her all into each of her characterizations. Her energy and attention to detail brought depth and individuality to every role she portrayed and enhanced the dynamics on stage. Her commitment was evident and contributed greatly to the overall production.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show and could see the tremendous effort invested in each moment. The attention to detail was impressive, and it really brought the story to life. However, I did find that I missed parts of the script, as some lines were delivered too softly or by performers who were not always facing the audience. Improving projection and stage positioning could help ensure the audience captures every word and nuance of the dialogue and complete your telling of this excellent story. Thank you so much for inviting me to your show - it was a fun, visually captivating and a thoroughly entertaining evening.

 

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