Over the years we've visited Abingdon many times to see Stephen Briggs' Discworld adaptations brought to stage. And we've come to expect the very best of amateur productions from The Studio Theatre Club. Which is why it is sad to say that Witches Abroad felt a little lacklustre for me. I know many have said how much they enjoyed the production but for me it felt a little flat.
The theatre itself is an amazing building. The high vaulted ceiling and roughly hewn walls make you feel you are on the Discworld. While it is a relatively small theatre there is plenty of character and a large multi level stage.
I quite injoyed the initial Gilbert and Sullivan inspired musical expositions but I did feel that maybe the singers were aiming a little high pitched as, from where I was sitting, it was really difficult to understand some of the words. When the rest of the singers repeated the lines I was then able to understand what was being sung. This could just have been the acoustics of the room.
The production values were very good and I enjoyed the little animations that were projected onto the screen at the back of the stage between scenes - I do wonder though it this was at the expense of being able to use the upper levels of the stage. Something that I've enjoyed in the past. As usual the occasional sound effect helped to sell the performances. Its just a shame that the biggest laugh of the afternoon came from the misfiring wand accompanied by the Windows 95 error sound.
My problem is with some of the performances. I really hate to criticise as its not a easy job to get up in front of an audience and perform. But there were some things that just grated for me. With the witches books its vital that the chemistry of the three main characters needs to be just right. I couldn't put my finger on just what I felt was wrong. Nanny played by Helen Keely got most of the best lines and Charlie Vicary was fun as a very playful Greebo as a man. Kath Leighton put in a solid performance as Granny, and Avery Robinson put in a spirited performance as Magrat although her funny little walk was unexpected - I imagine Margrat should float airily around.
I quite enjoyed the friendly and enthusiastic narrators / footnotes and the ensemble cast were all very good. I found it a little odd that Matt Kirk, one of the studio clubs more solid actors, didn't get more lines.
Even the aforementioned Stephen Briggs took a step back and fulfilled the physical personification of Death. With Mike Macdonald providing Death's suitable deep and cavernous voice.
So, in conclusion a solid production just not one of their best.