Wholehearted and enthusiastic performances in WGHS production. (Review by
Keith Millar)
The world of literature is a poorer place after the death last week of
one of the world’s greatest modern authors, Sir Terry Pratchett. Pratchett
wrote over 70 books in a career spanning 44 years. He is best known for his 40 Discworld
novels, a series of much-loved fantasy stories.
Happily these stories live on to entertain excite and amuse all who are
exposed to them. Westville Girls High School are doing just that with their
charming production of Pratchett’s sixth Discworld offering, Wyrd Sisters, which was adapted for
stage by Stephen Briggs.
Let me tell you, the sisters are weird. Delightfully and delectably
weird. These are plumb roles; full of eccentric fun and humour, and the three
young ladies playing the parts make the most of this and put in impressive
performances. They are Christine Behrmann as the cynical and hard drinking
Nanny Ogg, Tyro Munro as the ethereal flowerchild Magrat Garlick and Ridwa
Hajee as the pragmatic Granny Weatherwax.
In a story loosely based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the Wyrd Sisters
are, of course, the three witches. They tell the story from their perspective
and step in and use their magic to rectify the situation after the
assassination of the King by the Duke of Lancre (Macbeth). There are rules
which forbid witches from using magic to change the world – but as Nanny
Weatherwax says, “If you are going to break the rules, break them good and
hard”. This they do with hilarious consequences.
This WGHS production involves a cast and crew of over 40. All the roles
are played by girls from the school with the exception of two imported boys to
play the lead male roles. Without exception these young people give wholehearted
and enthusiastic performances. The crew also star with slick handling of
lighting, sound and stage requirements.
The production plays out against a black backdrop with minimal, and
clever, use of a few props and set pieces.
Directing the proceedings is Roxanne Fuller, who needs to be
congratulated not only for putting together this complex production, but also
for offering such a large group this excellent learning experience.
Arguably one of the best known and loved Discworld stories, Wyrd Sisters is filled with all the
usual Pratchett fantasy, twists and turns, and very clever humour. Lovers of
Pratchett’s work will enjoy this production and those who haven’t read his
novels may well find themselves converted.
Wyrd Sisters has one more
performance at noon today (Saturday, March 21) at the Drama Studio at Westville
Girls High School. Tickets R30 (R20 for scholars in uniform). Bookings at
tickets.wghs.co.za – Keith Millar
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