It's always a pleasure to visit the Gate Theatre in Cardiff to see any Pratchett production by Peculiar Productions. This time we visited on the second night of their run on Maskerade. Maskerade is a production that we've seen at least twice before and it's always fun to see how each company will handle various moments in the production such as Agnes' full vocal range which here was cleverly created using a prepared backing track that Agnes could mime too (Vetinari wouldn't be impressed!)
Before the show started the actors could be seen walking around the grand organ in various small groups chatting and having meetings. It gave it a very much a fly on the wall documentary feeling and started to establish characters before the play started properly.
I have to say well done to the props department. The mighty organ looked grand, taking up much of the rear wall of the theatre. It was obviously built around a practical electronic keyboard. Throughout the production music was performed by Jennipher Mears on the organ with support from trombonist Robyn Try and flautist Bethan Cole in the wings. The musical score was fun and included hints towards other famous musical tracks. It all added to a very appropriate atmosphere.
Maskerade is very much a witches book. Nanny has written her famous cookbook and Granny and Nanny are missing having a third for their coven. Magrat has gone off and become queen and Agnes has recently left the Ramtops to visit Ankh Morpork to become an opera singer.
When Granny realises that Nanny has been financially taken advantage of by the publisher of her cookbook, they decide to visit the publisher in Ankh-Morpork and whilst they were going to be there anyway, see how young Agnes is getting on.
Being a witches story it is vital to get Granny and Nanny right and Bex Jackson and Bryony Humphries-Jennings were spot on. You really wouldn't want to cross Granny and Nanny was about as gregarious as you could ever want. Alex Butterworth reprises her role as Agnes 'Perdita X' Nitt and is very good. Her comic timing and occasional glances to the audience with another character says something questionable is superb.
The other really important role was that of Walter Plinge. Josh Flynn has taken this role and really embodied the very soul of Walter Plinge. There were some great slapstick moments and his pendulous walk and graceful change of direction were very entertaining. We only hope that Josh didn't get too many bruises from his many hilarious comedic slapstick moments.
Josh has been a solid part of Peculiar Production plays for a while now and it was great seeing him given the opportunity to move into a bigger role.
Maskerade is a huge story and there is a lot of exposition which can make it quite dialogue heavy. The quick scene changes and musical interludes help to keep the story moving along at a pace. It's always fun to see where the break will be in the play and having Nanny about to dish out drinks to the opera boxes and turn to the audience and suggest that they may want to have drinks too is a great point to have an intermission.
The second half has a lot more action as various plot points are resolved with battles and chases and plenty of laughs courtesy of Nanny.
Once again director Amy Curson and co-director Matt Hitchman have proven their love and understanding of Terry's novels.
Peculiar production's Maskerade is really enjoyable and well worth a visit if you are lucky enough to get tickets for Friday or Saturday's performances.