Playwright
Adapted by Stephen Briggs
Director
Jane Wild
Overview
When Duke Felmet murders King Verence and takes over Lancre on the Discworld®, three witches are tasked with protecting the king’s baby son, Tomjon: Granny Weatherwax (intolerant, self opinionated, powerful), Nanny Ogg (down to earth, common) and Magrat Garlick (innocent, naive, slightly hippy).
In a script that channels inspiration from the juiciest plot twists of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet, plus a dose of essential HG Wells time-travel we encounter a wicked duke and duchess, the ghost of the murdered king, dim soldiers, strolling players plus a land in peril. And who stands between the Kingdom and destruction? Our three witches.
Cheriton Players’ Spring 2024 production was Stephen Brigg’s stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett®’s Wyrd Sisters and wasdirected by Jane Wilde, who has extensive experience in teaching English and Drama and who made her Cheriton debut last year in The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary.
Director – Jane Wilde
Producer – Peter Wilde
Stage Manager – Angela Ledsham
The cast was as follows:
Rebecca Leadley, playing: …………………………………………. Magrat (a witch)
Helena Gomm, playing: ………………………… Granny Weatherwax (a witch)
Helen Gard, playing: …………………………………………… Nanny Ogg (a witch)
John Weston, playing:………………………….. Bowman, guard, robber, witch
Mike Cornter, playing: ……………..Soldier, guard, robber, Bedlin (an actor)
Ben Gander, playing:…………………………… Leonal Felmet (Duke of Lancre)
Bernadette Lomas, playing:………………………………. Lady Felmet (his wife)
Jan Conway, playing:…………. Chamberlain, demon, peasant, actor, witch
David Cradduck, playing: …………. Sergeant, Verence (late King of Lancre)
Tim Conway, playing:………………………..Vitoller (an actor-manager) guard
Wilmsloe (an actor)
Pauline Cornter, playing: … Mrs Vitoller, peasant, actor, witch, Gumridge
Craig Robb, playing: …………………………………………………………………… Fool
Chris Atkinson, playing: ………………………………… Tomjon (son of Verence)
Frank Branagan, playing: ……………………………………… Hwel (a playwright)
Our sell-out audiences loved it:
“We just wanted to say how much we enjoyed Wyrd Sisters tonight.”
“Another great Cheriton Players production.”
“Brilliant show. Loved it all. Very clever. So many words to remember. Well done!”
“Well done we had a great evening. Some great performances and no idea how you managed all those lines so effortlessly”
And our reviewers likewise:
“The play is framed excellently and a thoroughly enjoyable evening has been had by all.” Jack Shaw, Winchester Today
(full review here)
“It’s a credit to Director Jane Wilde and the entire cast that on opening night the storytelling flowed beautifully, bringing the characters to life.” Anne Waggott, SceneOne+
(full review here)
Images by Simon Newman and members of the cast and crew. They include the reading, rehearsals, behind the scenes, tech and dress rehearsals.