Tudor Players’ Wyrd Sisters – 14 October 2025, Library Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
Although I am a fan of Good Omens, last night production by Tudor Players was my first introduction to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, though with by far the biggest audience I have seen for a Tudor Players opening night in my decade of reviewing them there are a lot of Discworld fans (or “Kevins” according to my quick internet research) out there and the laugher throughout and round of applause at the end confirmed what I as a newbie Kevin thought, Tudor Players in there first venture into Discworld had done an amazing job, which their sadly passed away member Rod Duncan would have been proud of, as would the late Pratchett hinself.
Within minutes I was a fan, loving the comedy and wonderfully story telling beautifully brought to life by the full cast (I’m sure their comedic skills from Blackadder II last year came in handy) and the wonderful direction of John Moran proving he is just as talented off stage as on, helped by wonderful costumes and special effects (hope Megan Roberts as the Demon didn’t have to hide to long in the stove). I can only hope that Discworld adaptations become a season regular for Tudor Players.
As mentioned in the title, at the heart of the story are the Wyrd Sisters, or three witches., who all perfectly cast and in their own way brought their characters to life with Edwina Gascoyne as Nanny Ogg getting all the funniest lines and making them even funnier with her delivery, Charlie Gascoyne-Thompson portraying Magrat Garlick with a naïve innocence and Fran Rooker proved herself leading lady worthy as Granny Weatherwax, offering everything I wanted from a wise, knowing witch.
I have already mentioned the cast transferring their comedic skills from last year’s production and this was most clear in the superb performances by Ross Bannister and Siobhan Hible as Duke Felmet and “my petal” Lady Felmet. If you were a witch you would not want these two ruling your land and whilst Siobhan maintained the composure of a lady of her statue, Ross continued to delight his fans as his face wonderfully contorted through every emotion imaginably. Another character who deserves a special mention is Josh Cooper as the wonderfully entertaining ghost King Verence, if I was being haunted by the ghost of a dead king I would want it to be him and if the cast of the sitcom “Ghosts” did a revival he would not be out of place.
It’s always fun to watch when a play includes a play within a play and in the second act the company achieved this hilariously charmingly and with their own twist on the concept. Special mention here for Joe Gascoyne-Thompson who has regularly both acted in and directed shows for Tudor Players and in his role as the Welsh Shakespeare of Discworld Hwel gave an insight on stage of his directing off stage. I must also mention Peter Kirkup in his very first role for Tudor Players as the wonderfully theatric Vitoller (I look forward to seeing you perform with the company again soon).
Last but not least I much praise Justin Harrison as the Fool, at first I thought he would just be a stereotype of the medieval court jester but from his act one monologue he gained a place in my heart and became one of my favourite characters of the show. His romance with Magrat captured the sweetness of young love, though I hope they did not have to stay embraced in a kiss for the entirety of the 20 minute interval.
As Granny Weatherwax declared “Good people, those theatre players” and this production confirms that’s true for everyone involved, making it a show not to be missed (and it maybe if you have not already brought a ticket as it’s selling out quick) by Kevins, soon to be Kevins and everyone looking to escape October evenings with wonderful comedic theatre.
P.S. Two special mentions, one is to Phil Gascoyne who may have the best ever behind the scenes job title in theatre “Pratchett Wrangler” and the other is Tudor Players wonderful ticket secretary Janet D’Roza who is retiring after this production, though I never believe people can quite retire from amateur theatre.
