This was one of the books that I had not read previously, so was unaware as to what to expect. I liked it. I felt that there was no need to be a Terry Pratchett fan to be able to find the humour in this play, or would you need to be if you wanted to perform it.

The play is based around Commander Vimes, of the Ank-Morpork Watch. Ank-Morpork is the main city that features in the Discworld novels. The Discworld is a flat disc shaped world, that rests on the back of four giant elephants, that stand on the back of Great Atuin the turtle, that travels through the universe.

The story of the play is that there is to be crowned a new dwarf Low King, in the country of Uberwuld - cue Eastern European accents a plenty. Vimes is selected to travel to Uberwuld, as the Ank-Morpork ambassador, and to set up trade agreements with the new Low King, for top grade fat. The fat is supposed to be from the carcass of the missing Fifth Elephant, that history states fell of the back of Great Atuin many ages ago - hence the title.

Vimes journeys to Uberwuld accompanied by his wife, Lady Sybil, and his entourage of characters, including the first recognised female dwarf - however for decency she keeps her beard! Upon arriving in Uberwuld, Vimes learns that the Scone of Stone - an ancient rock cake that is used as the seat for coronations - has been stolen. Vimes, being a policeman at heart, starts to investigate, but comes up against the Baron and Baroness von Uberwald, who are werewolves, and Lady Margolotta, who is a vampire. Also there is dissension in the ranks of dwarfs, as there are two candidates for the Low King, and all of these are doing their utmost to ensure that the Scone of Stone is never found, so that the coronation cannot take place.

I won’t give too much away, however all I will say is that there are some excellent cameo roles along the way - such as Igor, who plays every servant in Uberwuld - and they are all called Igor - oh by the way he hath a lithp - sorry - has a lisp.

This is a very light play, with lots of one liners and moments of humour. This is not a play to read if you are intending to look for some deep involved, or twisted plot - or if your group loves Shakespeare.

This is a play that does require however a fair sized cast. There can be some doubling, and a lot of the roles are sexless, however you will need a minimum of seven men - with doubling. There are a total number of twenty five parts, plus chorus / crowds etc. With doubling you could get away with eighteen - so still a sizeable number. This play would be ideal for schools, or colleges, for end of term performances, as it would certainly appeal to a younger audience.

Set wise it requires very little, and I would recommend a very basic stage, perhaps just tables and chairs, as the scenes change so rapidly, and so diversely, that at times the scene changes would take longer than the scenes themselves. The scenes range from the city of Ank-Morpork, to a medieval castle, from a snowbound mountain pass to Chekovs Cherry Orchard.

A lot of the scene changes could be done with good lighting effects, and some cleverly adapted props, which again can be as elaborate, or as simple, as budget, and crew allow.

Costume, however is very important in this production, as you must identify the difference between dwarfs, trolls, vampires, and werewolves. I say these in the plural, as at times there are more than one. In one scene there are humans transforming into wolves, wolves transforming into humans, and also just wolves - so these costumes must be adaptable, but convincing. Perhaps good make-up could assist.

This is not the first Terry Pratchett book I have read, but it is the first play adaptation. I will certainly be looking out for more. I hope this review has not put too many of you off, and if I have, then I suggest you look out for your local groups, as one of them may be performing this soon, they could change your mind.

Chris Peach

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