Wyrd Sisters. - The play.

Wyrd Sisters  a play by Terry Pratchett, is a take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and was  adapted for stage by Stephen Briggs . It tells the story of a wicked Duke and Duchess, who murder the King. The King’s baby is smuggled away by the witches  and is brought up with Mr & Mrs Vitoller  in a travelling theatre.  It is then up to the witches to weave their magic and save the Kingdom from destruction.

The three main characters are the witches and were  all well cast. Jan Whittaker plays the dominant, powerful,  decision maker Granny Weatherwax.   Alli Sparrow-Hewitt, playing  Nanny Ogg, a jovial,  mischievous,  comical , and deliciously bawdy character.  Finally and by no means least is Matrat Garlick played by Katy Pointer. She gave us a lovely portrayal of the innocent, younger witch,  eager to learn her craft, who falls  passionately in love with the Court Fool (Dominic Swain).  “Fooling is a serious business”, but he plays the part with energy and enthusiasm.

They were well supported by David Cranwell, the ghost of the dead King Verence,  the evil Duke Felmet (Neill Pearce), and his  rather  stern wife the Duchess (Emmi-Dawn Garnett). Vitoller and Mrs Vitoller (Steve Parks & Samantha Harvey) bring up the baby and as time magically passes, we find the  now grown up heir to the throne Tomjon (Bruce Alcorn) and the playwright Hwel (Tim Fosker), along with a band of peasants,  soldiers and theatre players.

The co-directors Jan and Tim, who had not directed before, had obviously had an enjoyable time in directing this comedy drama. The pace was upheld through the twenty three scenes  with minimal props and  superb  projected scenery  onto the backcloth screen  by Andrew Love.  A very different idea rather than  the traditional scenery; which must have taken a lot of work and effort . If this is the way forward  with new technology, it certainly worked well here.  The synthesised voices of the Demon and Ghost  King was also very effective.  The lighting enhanced  the magical feel and the costumes were in keeping.

Well done to all the cast and crew for a good evening’s entertainment. Thank you for inviting us.

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