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The most awesome thing I've come across this year was the announcement of a live production of Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment not 5 minutes away from where I live. The show is run by Cardiff theatre group Act One Productions and looks to be an amazing show.
Expect a review next month once I've taken a look see. In the meantime, here are some photos of the group in rehearsals. I've not yet read that far into the Discworld series, so it will be interesting to see the show without having read the book first.
If anyone lives near enough to go to the show, you get get tickets/info at The Gate, Cardiff.
What fantasy book would you most like to see made into a live stage show/musical?
Awesome it's nearby!
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'd want to see my favorite fantasy books as musicals. Sword of Shannara - the Musical! Sounds odd.
It does sound a little weird, I'll grant you that. Though there are a few power metal albums that have a definite theatrical vibe and a rich story to them, so it's something that could work. It's worked for sci-fi (War of the Worlds, The Time Machine)
Deletelol. I would go see Sword of Shannara - the Musical!
DeleteDidn't they make The Lord of the Rings into a stage musical? Or considering it? Or something?
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing at Sword of Shannara- The Musical.
I know that there's a One Man Show of the entire trilogy, which should be interesting. I didn't know about a full blown musical. To be fair, there are enough songs in there to fill one!
DeleteYes, the LOTR Musical is absolutely stunning (mostly in terms of set and costume) ... I have a picture book of it.
DeleteI actually think that a Twilight musical could be endlessly entertaining!
I'll have to take a look at that, Josh, sounds pretty awesome.
DeleteI think I'd be forced to move it a Twilight musical came to town. I don't think they'd be able to find enough emotion within them to be able to carry a tune.
Jay, id love to see them make The Ritual (Adam Nevall) into a musical. Now that would be an interesting watch !!!!
ReplyDeletewww.valleysshutterbug.blogspot.com
I don't think I'd be able to sit through half an hour of that with my eyes open all the way. A horror musical would be pretty cool though.
DeleteI'm would like to see this. Fantasy as musical would be a challenge but the stage has ways of making supernatural elements work.
ReplyDeleteVery true. It's not going to be a technical production by the looks of it (low budgets of local productions) but I'm definitely looking forward to it.
DeleteNice! I loved the first few books I've read of Discworld. Terry Pratchett makes me laugh so hard! He's awesome. Can't wait to hear the review!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling. Pratchett is single handedly responsible for me getting funny looks from people on trains because I'm giggling to myself in the corner whenever I read his books.
DeleteAhh awesome! Monstrous Regiment is one of my favourites :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Gaiman's Neverwhere as a musical :)
I think you're onto a winner there, Nibbles. Neverwhere is a lot like Hitchhiker's in that it works in so many different formats. I like it!
Deletemust admit this is the first time I hear about them.
ReplyDeleteFantasy stage shows (beyond the classics like The Wizard of Oz) aren't that common, it seems, though sci-fi has a few. I think it's time for a change.
DeleteI once saw the Hobbit as a live stage show. It was lots of fun. I'd love to see Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment, but I doubt it will come to Oz.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that a few US adaptations of the play have been done, but I've not heard of anything near your neck of the woods. I'll keep my ears pricked for anything, though.
DeleteMonstrous Regiment? Really? That seems... odd. It was easily my least favorite Discworld book with the least interesting characters.
ReplyDeletePersonally, The Princess Bride the musical!
Really? Hmm, this should make for an interesting viewing then ...
DeleteThe Princess Bride would be epic as a musical. I'd love to see Inigo Montoya turn his famous line into a full song.
The Monstrous Regiment production looks fab, thanks for the heads up! I feel a road trip coming on (it's only about 3 hours each way lol). Going to have to see if I can convince any of my friends to keep me company :o)
ReplyDeleteNot too far at all! Even if you can't make it, I'll try to get some photos and a decent review up afterwards.
DeleteI loved Monstrous Regiment - but my favorite is Night Watch :)
ReplyDeleteI've not got that far in the series yet - the most recent Watch book I read was Jingo. The City Watch books are my favourite, so this should be a great event.
DeleteI haven't read any Discworld books (I am shamed), but I've been meaning to, especially since a friend forced The Omen on me. I'm not sure how Fantasy would translate to the small stage, barring Spamalot, of course.
ReplyDeleteI completely forgot about Spamalot, though to be fair, it is a pretty accurate portrayal of British life back in the Dark Ages ...
DeleteI can't recommend Pratchett enough, and the Pratchett/Gaiman collaboration was genius.
PS. If you're still looking for good writing podcasts, I'd recomend Writing Excuses and Irreverent Muse.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. I know of Writing Excuses, but haven't heard Irreverent Muse. Shall check it out now. Thanks!
DeleteWell obviously humorous fantasy would translate best on stage. Perhaps the Myth-Inc. series by Robert Asprin. Oh wait-- anything by Christopher Moore. L.A.M.B. would be hilarious.
ReplyDeleteLAMB sounds like it would be brilliant. I've not heard about Christopher Moore until now, I shall check him out.
DeleteI've only read one Discworld book, Hogfather. I just couldn't get into it. But I do love Terry Pratchett's style, so I should give him another chance.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that's an easy one to start with, it wouldn't be very clear who Susan was... I'd start with Mort, or Wyrd Sisters.
DeleteGood advice, Ben. Guards Guards! is another "start of the series" books, so that's a good one too.
DeleteWow, how cool! Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a blast. I can't go to the Hitchhiker's production in London so this is the next best thing - and it's practically on my doorstep!
DeleteOh wow, that is really cool. I'd love to see that.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to get some sneaky photos of the show for you :)
DeleteVery cool! Wish I was near enough to attend. I think Terry Brook's Magic Kingdom for Sale should hit the stage. Or they should make it into a movie. Or both.
ReplyDeleteI've not had chance to read Terry Brooks (add it to my long list of things I should read) but I like the title :)
DeleteIf you like Terry Pratchett you will probably like Magic Kingdom. It's one of my favourite books :)
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