February 2009

Nation audiobook wins Odyssey Honor Award

15 February 2009 (23:08) Comment!

Announced at the same time as Nation’s Printz honor was the Odyssey Honor Award For Excellence In Audiobook Production for the audio version of Nation, read by Stephen Briggs for HarperChildren’s Audio.

Thanks to Colin Smythe for the heads-up!

Discworld plays roundup

14 February 2009 (20:28) Comment!

There are, as always, many many plays adapted from Discworld novels being performed in the coming months. Here’s some of the newest information:

• Monstrous Regiment
  • Preliminary dates: June 17-20
  • Adapted by Stephen Briggs, directed by Mel Walker and Tim Williams
  • Auditions (for acting and backstage work) at Scout Hut, in Gatting Way, Uxbridge on February 22, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rehearsals every Sunday.
  • URL: http://www.purpletheatre.org.uk
• The Truth
  • March 3-7, in Oxford.
  • Performed by OFS Theatre Group
  • URL: http://www.discworldmonthly.co.uk?redir=OFS2009021
• Wyrd Sisters
  • March 11-14
  • Performed by Leicester University Theatre Society
  • URL: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/lutheatre/LUT_entrance.htm
• Wyrd Sisters
  • 7:45 p.m., March 24-28, at Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire
  • Tickets: 9 GBP to 11 GBP, available from Sharnbrook Post Office or Bedford Central Box Office (01234 269519)
• Maskerade
  • 7:30 p.m., March 26-28, at Studio Theatre at The Garage
  • Tickets: 7 GBP, available from Theatre Royal Box Office (01603630000) or online
  • Performed by Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Theatre Company
  • URL: http://www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Thanks to the Discworld Monthly for information used in compiling this article.

Colour Of Magic theatrical run in New York

2 February 2009 (13:54) 1 Comment

As reported by the New York Times, the Colour Of Magic adaptation is being screened in New York at the Quad Cinema on 13th Street until February 5.

The screening opened January 30. To quote the review:

Originally broadcast on British television and now receiving a limited theatrical run here, “The Color of Magic” mashes together a pair of comedic fantasy novels by Terry Pratchett into one long, rambling saga. Directed by Vadim Jean, who adapted the books with help from Mr. Pratchett, it is by and large a droll, ingratiating affair, albeit one whose rickety effects and lackadaisical pacing are decidedly more suited to the small screen than to the large.

What’s refreshing here (aside from the inimitably British mock-epic tone) is precisely this sense of an immense fantasy played out in a diminished scale. Where even the quietest moments of the “Harry Potter” films bludgeon the viewer with the immensity and expense of their production, “Magic” has a charmingly modest, artisanal feel about it.