...at Nottingham's Lace Market Theatre

Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett will be presented at the Lace Market Theatre in Nottingham by its Youth Theatre group. Director Roger Watson explains why he chose this pastiche of vampire literature, part of Pratchett's Discworld series.

Why did you choose Carpe Jugulum for the Youth Theatre?

After last year's Shakespearean tragedy Julius Caesar, I decided we needed to lighten things up and do a comedy. I have long been a Terry Pratchett fan, and was delighted to see some of his books have been made into plays. Carpe Jugulum particularly caught my eye because as well as being very funny, it had strong female leads with the witches.

The plot of the novel is very involved, how would you summarise the story as presented in the play?

The basic synopsis is this: The King and Queen of Lancre are having their little baby girl christened, and the King, who only sees the best in people, invites all the local heads of state and powerful families. Included in this is the De Magpyre family, who are Vampyres (spelt with a Y as it's more trendy). These vampyres though are progressive and modern, and decide to take over the country. They come up against the Lancre Witches, who have to use all their guile and cunning to defeat them.

What do you think the Youth Theatre have most enjoyed about the rehearsal process?

The youngsters have enjoyed the humour in the play, and getting to grips with their characters. We have a magnificent set to play with, designed by Cris Brawn, and the costumes and props have really helped them. The Lace Market Theatre costume department, led by Max Bromley, have been allowed to go to town with the outfits. The play has lots of scenes, about 33, and the ensemble have doubled as scene changers.

What have you found the most challenging aspect of directing this play?

Comedy is very difficult to play, one of the most difficult in my opinion. It has been a challenge to not only get the lines learnt, but delivered in a way that gets the most laughs. Then there's timing, a talent that comes naturally to some and can prove elusive in others. Then it's trying to keep it fresh for the audience – after saying the same funny line for three months it loses its impact.

What do you think an audience might most enjoy watching the play?

The audience will enjoy the humour of the play, and the diverse characters that inhabit Pratchett's books, comparable to Dickens in their colourfulness. There are vampires, witches, royalty, mobs, one troll, a wet priest, an Igor, and Death. These are modern vampires who want a piece of the day, can eat garlic and drink holy water. They are strong and clever. Against them are the witches; Nanny Ogg, who's very earthy and worldly wise; Magrat, a former witch, now Queen, who's career involves a bit of light aromatherapy; Agnes, who's in two minds about everything, literally; and Granny Weatherwax, the most powerful witch (in her own opinion) in Lancre.

There are plenty of nods to Grimms tales, as well as the Hammer Horror films. There will be plenty to amuse the young and old.

Read the original article here.