Grads pick Pratchett for anniversary

Published on Thursday 20 May 2004 01:00

EDINBURGH Graduate Theatre Group (Grads) celebrates its 50th anniversary next week by staging its most ambitious play ever - Terry Pratchett’s Maskerade.

The hilarious dark comedy is due to run at the Adam House Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, May 29 and marks the re-opening of the theatre after the fire that decimated the Gilded Balloon and the surrounding buildings almost two years ago.

Grads spokeswoman Frances Swanwick says: "Terry Pratchett is one of the most widely-read and best-selling authors alive today.

"We’re delighted to present Stephen Briggs’ marvellous adaptation of his book and, with a cast of more than 30, Maskerade promises to be a joyful, eclectic and colourful romp through Pratchett’s 18th Discworld novel."

The play is a parody on The Phantom of the Opera and fans of the popular Discworld books are sure to be happy to meet some old friends again in this very theatrical adaptation of the book.

Swanwick explains: "The story is quintessential Pratchett. With Magrat Garlick finally settled nicely as the Queen of Lancre, the remaining witches, Esme Granny Weatherwax and Gytha Nanny Ogg, travel to the big city of Ankh-Morpork to visit young Agnes Nitt - a promising potential witch from Lancre who went to Ankh to find her future in the Opera.

"Alarmingly, there are strange goings-on at the Opera House. A ghost in a white mask is murdering quite a lot of people and the two witches take a hand in unravelling the mystery."

Director Colin Peter, who is also vice chairman of the Scottish Community Drama Association, Scotland’s largest community theatre organisation, adds: "A unique strength of Pratchett’s writing is that it translates so well to the stage.

"It’s a big, bold, rip-roaring production and it’s the perfect way to celebrate Grads’ 50th anniversary. We think audiences will love it."

On hearing that Grads were ambitiously staging the adaptation of his book, Terry Pratchett commented: "These fine people have in a moment of aberration decided to put on a play based on one of my books. Please be kind to them in their folly. I hope you have fun and that they break lots of legs."

• Adam House Theatre, Chambers Street, 7.30pm, Tuesday-Friday, 7pm, Saturday, 7 (5), 0131-220 4349