NODA REVIEW OF 'WYRD SISTERS'

Terry pratchett's fantasy, Discworld, clashed with the Pentyrch Village Hall, in December, with a chuckling and not too reverent parody of Macbeth. It helps to have a knowledge of Shakespeares's play and an understanding of Pratchett's strange world to unravel the plot - starting with the weird sisters who are three benign witches - every village should have one. The matriarch witch, Granny Weatherwax, the maternal Nanny Ogg and the junior witch Magrat Garlick, well played and contrasted characters by Ruth Crowder, Tracy Richards, and Menna Davies, have a baby and a crown thrust upon them which they immediately off-load to a troupe of strolling players. The baby is heir to king Verence, who was murdered by his cousin Duke Felmet, a spluttering performance by Ian Jones, pre-occupied in guilt ridden hand washing, dominated by a blood-lusting Duchess, sternly played by Siân Davies. The child grows up to be Tomjon (Richard Jones), a prominent strolling player and, when all is revealed, doesn't want to be King. Do try and keep up! But that's all right because, unbeknown, the charismatic Jester (Dai Williams) is his brother - so he can take over. It's all a bit of fun with enough laughs to make it a good alternative to pantomime. Overseeing the play and acting as narrator, Phil Davies did a sterling job in humorously linking the twenty three vignette scenes and participating in the action. A large cast gave good support as courtiers, guards, peasants etc. and the staging, although basically simple, allowed the many scenes to move swiftly. Director Martyn Lench, was brave and adventurous in undertaking such a complex play and staging for his debut production but can be well pleased with the result.

 Reviewed by Frank Wooles

Cast

Granny Weatherwax - Ruth Crowder

Nanny Ogg - Tracy Richards

Magrat Garlick - Menna Davies

Duke Felmet - Ian Jones

Lady Felmet - Siân Davies

Fool - Dai Williams

Vitoller / Narrator - Phil Davies

Mrs Vitoller - Heather Major

Demon - Steve Williams

King Verence - John Major

Hywel - Huw Williams

Tomjon - Richard Jones

Robbers - Rhys Stapleton, Simon Jones, Huw Williams, Richard Jones, Mark Gerry

Peasants / Players - Rhys Stapleton, Simon Jones, Mark Gerry, Sara Pickard, Steve Williams, George Atkins, Sue O'Halloran

Chamberlain - George Atkins

Death - Sue O'Halloran

Bedlin - Rhys Stapleton

Gumridge - Brenda Slaughter

Witches 1, 2 and 3 - Heather Major, Jenna Claridge, Karen Claridge

Production Team

Producer / Director – Martyn Lench

Assistant Producer and Director – Anne Morris

Stage Manager – Wayne Brewer

Assistant Stage Manager - Raynor Phinnemore

Properties – Raynor Phinnemore

Set Design and Construction – Wayne Brewer, Raynor Phinnemore, Nathan Brown,

Stage Crew - Wayne Brewer, Raynor Phinnemore, Nathan Brown, Josh Cripp

Lighting / Sound – Wayne Brewer

Wardrobe Mistress – Francis Winter

Make Up - Rhiannon Doller, Zara Jones

Business Manager – Helen Page

Business Team - Richard Jones, Helen Page, Bob Petersen, Sue O'Halloran

Photography - Dai Williams

House Manager – Bob Petersen

House Staff – Members and Friends of Hilltop

Box Office – Heather Major