Wossname – October 2017 – Main issue
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wossnameWossname
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
October 2017 (Volume 20, Issue 10, Post 1)
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WOSSNAME is a free publication offering news, reviews, and all the other stuff-that-fits pertaining to the works of Sir Terry Pratchett. Originally founded by the late, great Joe Schaumburger for members of the worldwide Klatchian Foreign Legion and its affiliates, including the North American Discworld Society and other continental groups, Wossname is now for Discworld and Pratchett fans everywhere in Roundworld.
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Editor in Chief: Annie Mac
News Editor: Vera P
Newshounds: Mogg, Sir J of Croydon Below, the Shadow, Mss C, Alison not Aliss
Staff Writers: Asti, Pitt the Elder, Evil Steven Dread, Mrs Wynn-Jones
Staff Technomancers: Jason Parlevliet, Archchancellor Neil, DJ Helpful
Book Reviews: Annie Mac, Drusilla D'Afanguin, Your Name Here
Puzzle Editor: Tiff (still out there somewhere)
Bard in Residence: Weird Alice Lancrevic
Emergency Staff: Steven D'Aprano, Jason Parlevliet
World Membership Director: Steven D'Aprano (in his copious spare time)
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INDEX:
01) EDITOR'S LETTER
02) REVIEW: DISCWORLD AND PHILOSOPHY
03) ODDS AND SODS
04) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
06) DISCWORLD METING GROUPS NEWS
07) CLOSE
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01) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
Dear readers,
I need a break.
I really, really need a break.
I've been saying for years now, every month, that I can't keep editing and compositing Wossname forever, but despite there no longer being any new Pratchett writings since The Shepherd's Crown, there are still writings-about-writings and plays-based-upon-writings and telly-shows-adapted-from-writings that merit being written about. However, there are also changes in Your Editor's circumstances that, at present, are making it ever more difficult to turn out a full issue every month. So I'm going to attempt a compromise, at least for the rest of this year, which will take the form of brevity: this issue, and the two after it, are likely to be cut to the bone. We do get clacks at the Fortress of Woss from readers who enjoy Around the Blogosphere and Roundworld Tales and the less frontline items (about orangutans, for example), and to those of you who have clacksed I offer apologies, but right now I feel it's best for me to ignore the anternet as much as I possibly can. But Wossname will continue, even if no-one else steps forward to take the editor's baton. After all, there's the Good Omens miniseries to consider...
Wossname is not going dark. It's just going quiet. Ish. For a bit.
On with the show...
– Annie Mac, Editor
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02) THE TURTLE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, AND ROUNDWORLD'S EPHEBIANS WANT A PIECE OF THE ACTION: A REVIEW OF DISCWORLD AND PHILOSOPHY
By Annie Mac
As I've mentioned before (in my review of another recent-ish book relating to philosophy and the works of Sir Terry Pratchett), I consider philosophy as thinking-about-thinking to be a worthy discipline but I have little patience with philosophy as practised by professional philosophers. I also mentioned that said other book seemed to be written specifically for philosophy students who liked Pratchett books. But Discworld and Philosophy, subtitled Reality Is Not What It Seems, reads more like a book by (mostly, on the face of it) Pratchett fans who happen to be philosophers. Without diminishing the worth of the other book, I think this one is more accessible to the general public, as it concentrates more on the concepts behind Sir Terry's "stealth philosophy" and relies less on jargon and/or assumptions of familiarity with the works of noted philosophers throughout history.
Also, to my surprise, Discworld and Philosophy contains quite a lot of fanfiction.
...no, really. Some of it is rather good-quality fanfiction, too. Philosophers writing fanfiction... heavy-question philosophical essays that are actually fun to read... who'd'a thunk it?
Using a similar format to that of the earlier philosophy-meets-flat-world-onna-turtle volume, Discworld and Philosophy is composed of twenty-three essays, divided into five sections, and the individual authors are once again generous in their application of what they imagine are Pratchettesque footnotes (and in some cases, are probably right). Section titles are "Rewriting Your Chem"; "Truth, Logic, and Law Are Nice, but Someone Still Has to Do the Wash"; "Some Things Are Necessary, Not Personal"; "Ye Canna' Ken What Ye Canna' Ken"; and "Probably Quantum". Authors – most of whom have contributed more than one essay – are, in order of first appearance, Vanessa Frolich, Matthew Skene, Michael Kugler, Jamie Carlin Watson, Brandon Kempner, Don Fallis, Daniel Malloy, Jeremy Pierce, Trip McCrossin, John V Karavitis, Douglas Jordan, Kamil Karas, Christopher Ketcham, Daniel Miori, and Nicolas Michaud (who is also the editor of the book).
Here follows a selection of what I consider to be the most outstanding essays in this collection, plus a few passing applications of mildly acid disapproval...
Section I
"More Golems Around Than You Might Think", by Vanessa Frolich: on postmodernism and power, how we all have chems (so to speak) that can be rewritten by people in power via the substitution of "texts" and "metanarratives" (I remember when these were known as memes; curses upon you, Roundworld Clacks, for hijacking the word!), and how the rough music of populism can create merry hell from the misapplication of modified texts.
Golem Morality in the Modern World, by Matthew Skene: purportedly on the morality of freedom, and the limits of personal responsibility... I think. This essay relies on the sort of ridiculously impractical supposition that in my opinion gives philosophers a bad name – positing that it can be considered immoral for any person to live at all above merest subsistence level if any other persons, anywhere, are living below it – and it got right up my nose because he references text on this subject by the Fourecksian philosopher Peter Singer, whose opinions generally *aren't* impractical, and who seems right in concert with Pratchett when it comes to what our favourite author described as the dreadful algebra of necessity. As a rank civilian in the demesne of betowelled Ephebians, I'm calling this one a load of tosh.
"We Willna Be Fooled Again! Wee Free Anarchists!" by Michael Kugler: on freedom and law, and Pratchett's interpretations thereof. This should have been a good'un, and the bones of it are worthy, but... I would have thought that when one is writing about a specific Discworld subject, and claiming – as it says of all these authors, in the book's preface – to be a huge Discworld fan, one can show enough respect for the source material to get names and terminology right, but Kugler's gaffes kept distracting me. Although he started off well enough, for some reason he refers variously to Granny Aching as "Grandmother Aching", "Grandma Aching", or plain "Aching", and to the Nac Mac Feegle as "the Wee Frees" (er, no; the Wee Frees are a Scots Protestant sect, which you can be sure Sir Pterry knew well), and comes up with something he calls "the Three Sights", despite Pratchett only giving us First Sight and Second Thoughts. Also, I wish to rain flames of incandescent fury on whoever – Kugler, his proofreader, or editor Michaud – for Failure to Properly Pluralise: "A little girl, Tiffany, grows up on her parent's farm", it says on page 27. No, and no, and a thousand times no; it's her *parents'* farm, or her father's farm (technically the Baron's farm, but I'd like to see Roland try to take it away from the Achings), but not her "parent's"... argh!
"The Liberating Power of Nanny Ogg's Bosom", by Vanessa Frolich: on how Nanny Ogg makes socially inappropriate behaviour a force for good. Frolich says, "When carnival and the grotesque meet high culture, they can bring it down to earth and question its boundaries" (page 41), and examines how Nanny's breaking of boundaries helped end Lily's reign in Witches Abroad.
"The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret", by Jamie Carlin Watson: on free speech, civic freedoms, well-meaning censorship, and Vetinari's and Vimes' ways of looking at these. This is a highly readable essay, low on jargon, with good footnote technique.
Section II
"The Absurdity of the Luggage", by Brandon Kempner: on absurdism and existentialism, the overwhelming human desire for order, and how a certain sapient pearwood travel accessory personifies the philosophical theories of Camus and Sartre.
"Pratchett's Republic": in his second essay, Brandon Kempner posits Pratchett as Plato and Ankh-Morpork as his "republic", compares and contrasts the modern "stealth philosopher" with the ancient Greek one, and presents Lord Vetinari as the "perfect Pratchett Philosopher King"(page 81), with Vimes and Carrot as his lieutenants: "It's only when Carrot's idealism, Vimes's practicality, and the Patrician's cleverness come together, that the city of Ankh-Morpork can survive and thrive" (ibid).
"Honesty Trumps Cleverness: Sam Vimes and Commonsense Philosophy", by Matthew Skene: making up for his shaky start in Section I, Skene offers a cracking good essay on the practicality of pragmatism, the dangers of following the advice of Some Guy Down the Pub (here, personified by Fred Colon), and the (acceptable, in both Skene's and my own opinion) limitations of scepticism – "Commonsense philosophy stands as a bastion of sanity amidst the storm, seeking to get philosophers to follow the lead of those like Sam Vimes who will take honesty over cleverness any day" (page 89). This was one of my favourites.
"Why Would You Put a Con Artist in Charge of the Money?" by Don Fallis: on the virtues of using deception in service of the greater good, musings on intentional deception, and the nature of counterfeit (counterfeitness? counterfeitcy?). A workmanlike essay; I enjoyed it.
"Lord Vetinari's Friendly Guide to Tyranny", by Daniel Malloy: a corker! – and also an excellent piece of fanfiction, in the form of a series of angry letters to the Ankh-Morpork Times as read by Lord Vetinari.
Section III
"Can a Leopard Change Its Shorts?" by Daniel Malloy: on the nature of cowardice – which some philosophers say cannot by definition exist – and Rincewind, who, according to Aristotle, isn't a coward, because the opposite of bravery is foolhardiness or recklessness, not cowardice. Note: also includes an amusing explanation of why one shouldn't try to put shorts on a leopard in the first place.
"Becoming Vetinari: Personal Identity on the Discworld", by Jeremy Pierce: on assumed identities as masks of functionality versus (attempted) assumption-by-metamorphosis of another person's identity, as shown by contrasting Moist von Lipwig and Cosmo Lavish, and Locke's and Leibniz' arguments about what a person *is* ("the axe of my grandfather" and teleporter accidents, anyone?). I found this to be one of the best essays in the book, with a lovely closing paragraph; Pierce also gets my Best Discworld-related Footnote Ever prize (see footnote 3, page 145).
"How to Be a Dwarf", by Daniel Malloy: on identity politics, gender, species, essentialism, assimilation, and all that jazz. Also discusses why Carrot *is* a dwarf but Thomas Stronginthearm isn't, and why Countess Notfaroutoe will never be a vampire no matter how hard she tries, and contains some interesting speculations about Cheery Littlebottom. A good, solid effort.
"Being One's Me: (Witchy) Personal Identity on the Discworld", by Trip McCrossin: aaand we're back to the axe of one's grandfather again, and the theories of Locke (again) and Joseph Butler, and self-recognition as applied to escaping from a prison of a million mirrors. Another solid offering.
Section IV
This is the shortest section, containing only three essays, and I have to say that it's also the shortest part of this review because I found little to enjoy. "The Serious Monk's Guide to Re-writing History", by John V. Karavitis, felt far too try-hard in its cutesy-clever tale of a literal monkey studying to be a History Monk. "Sin, My Young Man, Is When You Treat People as Things", an essay by Kamil Karas on defining sin, general morality, and "natural law", suffered from being a subject that's been rather done to death; and Douglas Jordan's "Getting at the Truth", on the quantification of knowledge ("what is knowledge?"), as proposed by philosophers through the ages, was only notable for me because my scribbled notes for it included "and Plato can -ing right -ing off". So let's move along...
Section V
"Fate on the Discworld and Roundworld", by Jeremy Pierce: on destiny, predestination, determinism, fate, call it what you like... oh, and Fate, of course, because no Discworld discussion of small-f fate is complete without that smarmy so-and-so... all couched in the form of an imagined conversation between Lu-Tze and Death, who drops in on our favourite Sweeper for a chat about his observations of UU's narrativium-free "Roundworld project". This is a wonderful essay that – quite unlike Getting at the Truth in the previous section – represents what I *do* like about philosophy. I suspect Pierce and Pratchett could have had some fascinating conversations.
"The Alchemy of Flat Worlds", by Christopher Ketcham: on... well, I'm not sure I'm confident to say *what* it's on. Possibly the discrete physics of two-dimensional and three-dimensional worlds, but I found Ketcham's choice of milieu – apparently a professor at UU giving a series of lectures, or maybe not, because if this is meant to be set on Discworld it fails spectacularly – and his frequent digressions, both as the professor and as "faithful narrator", so distracting that I failed at all six attempts to get all the way through the piece without bailing by dint of a combination of confusion and boredom. I can't give this one a pass, I'm afraid.
"The Intersection of Science and Philosophy, the Seediest Corner of Ankh-Morpork", by Daniel Miori: on the history of philosophy and similarities between philosophy and the scientific method, using the Science of Discworld series for examples. For some reason no clearer than mud to this reader (nor to several others I asked to read it), Miori chose to present his subsection titles as if spoken by Cohen without his "dine-chewers" in; I found this quite off-putting, as I kept looking for the relevance. Oh well.
"Welcome to My World", by Christopher Ketcham: on Umwelt, known to most of us non-Borogravian-speakers as one's personal universe ("life-world"). Ketcham considers the life-worlds of various Discworld entities/animals/objects including the God of Evolution, the ambiguous puzuma, dromes, the shadowing lemma, Gaspode, hermit elephants, and re-annual plants. An odd essay but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
"Cocking a Snook at Death, and Getting Away with It: Does the Personification of Death Make It Less Scary?" by Daniel Miori: on Death – considered by Miori to be "one of the most humane characters in the Discworld multiverse" (page279), dualism, the power of belief, definitions of being alive, and death as an anthropomorphic personification in Roundworld history and culture. Miori also scores points for a small but much appreciated sneer at the sort of nicey-nicey censorship that the Mrs Maccalariats of the world impose on public broadcasting (page 288), and a much larger, also justified, sneer at paternalism in the medical sector (page 288-289).
"I'd Rather Stay an Orangutan Because That's Why Discworld Exists", by Nicolas Michaud: editor Michaud brings Discworld and Philosophy to a delightful close with another round of inspired, well-crafted fanfiction, in the form of his own Ephebianesque-towel-clad interuniversal journey to an unexpected audience with Lord Vetinari, who has been convinced by UU to hire a "cheap ... philosopher" (page 294) to prove to that the Discworld exists in some form of reality. Along the way, Michaud "meets" the Bursar, Ridcully and the Librarian, and has a true-hearted go at presenting them in proper character. Oh, and there's a nice bit of recursion towards the end. (Note, however, to the proofreader, who may have been asleep at the wheel, erm, word processor: I think the word Michaud wanted was "disconcertingly". See, we can be pretty sure that "disconcertedly" is a term that has never been applicable to His Lordship. "Disconcertedly" is part of what happens to other people around Vetinari, not to the man himself.)
Discworld and Philosophy: Reality Is Not What It Seems
Edited by Nicolas Michaud (Open Court, 2016)
316 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8126-9919-7
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03) ODDS AND SODS
Paul Kidby will be giving an illustrated talk at the Salisbury Museum on 25th October:
https://www.facebook.com/paulkidby/posts/10158636758292355
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Jon Hamm has been cast in Good Omens as the archangel Gabriel: "The character of Gabriel has a fleeting role in the original novel but showrunner Neil Gaiman explains why he is being developed for the screenplay: 'Once we had finished writing Good Omens, back in the dawn of prehistory, Terry Pratchett and I started plotting a sequel. There would have been a lot of angels in the sequel. When Good Omens was first published and was snapped up for the first time by Hollywood, Terry and I took joy in introducing our angels into the plot of a movie that was never made. So when, almost thirty years later, I started writing Good Omens for TV, one thing I knew was that our angels would have to be in there. The leader of these angels is Gabriel. He is everything that Aziraphale isn't: he's tall, good-looking, charismatic and impeccably dressed. We were fortunate that Jon Hamm was available, given that he is already all of these things without even having to act. We were even more fortunate that he's a fan of the books and a remarkable actor.' Commenting on his casting, Jon Hamm adds: 'I read Good Omens almost twenty years ago. I thought it was one of the funniest, coolest books I'd ever read. It was also, obviously, unfilmable. Two months ago Neil sent me the scripts, and I knew I had to be in it.'"
https://discworld.com/jon-hamm-joins-amazons-good-omens-archangel-gabriel/
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Blogger Nikki's write-up of the Terry Pratchett: HisWorld exhibit:
"The exhibition is a must-see for any Discworld fan. It features Terry's own treasured possessions, artwork by the man himself and over forty original illustrations by Paul Kidby (who I now realise was there viewing the exhibition at the same time as I was. I thought it might be him, but he was with family and I was too shy to say anything!)... I stood in awe in front of Terry Pratchett's desk, his six (yes, six!) monitors dominating it. Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell album playing on iTunes on one screen (the man had taste!), Doom loaded on another, the Arsenic page on Wikipedia (research, no doubt), a BBC News article about his first major award win, the obligatory file window and the Night Watch novel being typed into a Word document, as if the ghost of Terry Pratchett was sat there typing as a teary-eyed Discworld fan looked on. The Luggage sat quietly next to Terry's desk. I kept a close eye on it. It's well known for being 'half suitcase, half homicidal maniac' and fiercely defensive of its owner. Many people and creatures have been eaten by this suitcase on hundreds of little legs and I didn't want to risk upsetting it! The Octavo sat in one corner of Terry's recreated office. I didn't look too closely at the book as it has a mind of its own and a spell once decided to live in Rincewind's head. Terry's trademark hat, leather jacket and stick stood encased in glass with a description from Terry... This exhibition is Terry Pratchett's life in his own words, punctuated by artwork and possessions. His words adorn the walls and sit next to his possessions. From this headmaster telling him he would never amount to anything (how wrong was he?!) to test papers from 2009 and 2010 showing the effect his form of Alzheimer's (Posterior Cortical Atrophy) was having on his ability to draw and write..."
http://notesoflife.uk/2017/10/terry-pratchett-hisworld-exhibition/
Also, a few other bloggy bits, as I'd already gathered them whilst looking for more pieces about the Terry Pratchett: HisWorld exhibition...
Blogger Amy's review of The Long Earth:
"I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. I read some pretty dire reviews before purchasing but I had faith in Terry Pratchett and his work. There are a few things that I don't like about the novel but overall it was a positive experience for me... The characters that this novel focuses on are great. They're varied in terms of age and race and ambition so it was great to see such a wide variety of characters interacting with the same idea in different ways. Joshua, the main character, is sarcastic and witty but also loyal and trustworthy. He's somewhat famous in his own world but he prefers the solitude that he finds on the far off Earths that he can travel to. He's an orphan and was brought up by a strange bunch of nuns. I loved the nuns. They were the best characters in the books for me because they were just so funny and weird... The opening sequence was fantastic. I loved the imagery that was created in both the 1914 scene and the 2015 scene. There's a mystical quality about these scenes which is replicated later as Joshua and Lobsang step beyond what is known about the Long Earth and into the abyss... One thing I didn't like about this book was the length. This book was just too long. It was occasionally boring too which didn't help the length of it. I had to power through some sections but it was really worth it in the end..."
http://bit.ly/2zmKchH
Blogger Muse With Me returns to review Guards! Guards!:
"Pratchett does his best work when he's telling a story first, rather than using the plotline as a vehicle for his humour, and this book definitely fits that category. Sam Vimes and the Watch have a rather dramatic arc over the course of the story, going from a pathetic ramshackle organization with no real authority or sense of will, to one that's more assertive with a growing sense of duty. They still have a long way to go, but it was satisfying to see a ragtag group come together and be better than they thought possible... The book uses familiar tropes of rightful heirs returning and dragon slaying, which many of the characters are consciously aware of, to explore this idea... while I thought I could see where the plot was going once the setup was underway in the early parts of the novel, I was pleased to see things take a dramatically different turn than I expected..."
http://bit.ly/2z7t1Qp
...and a review of Mort by blogger An Ice Cold Bear:
"The worst thing a joke can do is overstay its welcome and I never found that to be the case in Mort. It clocks in at just under 300 pages and is thoroughly enjoyable throughout. The jokes keep coming and then promptly see themselves out in a timely fashion. Some small things are left for you to catch rather than every single thing being made clear which lets little jokes or puns feel natural rather than making them too blatant... Death steals the show from the titular character though, particularly when he takes a holiday halfway through the book – it's fantastic... The humour was a little thin in the second half of the book. This is somewhat expected since the plot needed resolving. Not to say that it wasn't funny, just that the density was lower than the first half of the book. Luckily the plot finished up and got out of the way quick enough which allowed the humour to seep back in for the very end (the final exchange between Mort and Death was brilliant)..."
https://anicecoldbear.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/mort-review/
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04) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
4.1 PLAYS IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
* WYRD SISTERS IN ONTARIO, CANADA (OCTOBER)
The Sault Theatre Workshop will present their production of Wyrd Sisters this month!
When: 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th October 2017
Venue: Studio Theatre, 121 Pittsburg Avenue, P6C 5A9 Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada (phone)+1 705-254-3366
Time: 8pm all evening shows; 2pm matinee on the 29th
Tickets: CA$29 ($27 seniors, $19 students), available online at https://th038wq008.boxpro.net/c2bownet.asp
There will also be a special preview performance of Wyrd Sisters on Tuesday 24th October on behalf of the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District (all proceeds donated from this performance). Tickets for this performance only are CA$25 in advance only, available at the Alzheimer Society office, 341 Trunk Rd, Sault Ste Marie. To book, ring 705-942-2195.
www.saulttheatre.com
* MORT IN READING (OCTOBER)
Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group will present their production of Mort, "an off beat tale of bacon, eggs and destiny", in October.
"Terry Pratchett's Discworld will once more be gracing the stage at Loddon Hall. We are putting on a production of Mort, which will involve a large cast, plenty of dramatic moments and a lot of laughs."
When: 5th–7th October 2017
Venue: Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9JA
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: £7, £8, £9 and £10, available online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/171598
http://www.twyrusdrama.org.uk
* WYRD SISTERS IN WINSLOW (OCTOBER)
Winslow Players, "a small but perfectly formed amateur dramatic company based in the market town of Winslow", will be opening their 50th anniversary season with their production of Wyrd Sisters! "It's all there – a wicked duke and duchess, the ghost of the murdered king, dim soldiers, strolling players, a land in peril; and who stands between the Kingdom and destruction? Three witches!"
When: 5th–7th October 2017
Venue: Winslow Public Hall, Elmfields Gate, Winslow, Bucks MK18 3JG
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £6 on 5th October, £8 on 6th and 7th October, available from Divine Diva Fancy Dress, 76 High Street, Winslow (01296 712728 during office hours) or by emailing tickets@winslowplayers.co.uk or by using the form on the Contact Us page (_http://www.winslowplayers.co.uk/Contact-Us.html_). "Your tickets will be provisionally booked until payment is received in full (either by bacs* or cheque). If you would like your tickets posted to you, you will need to enclose a stamped addressed envelope, otherwise they will be available for you to collect on the door at your selected performance."
http://www.winslowplayers.co.uk/
* MORT IN KENT (OCTOBER)
The Erith Playhouse are staging their production of Mort in October.
When: 9th–14th October 2017
Venue: Erith Playhouse, 38–40 High Street, Erith, Kent DA8 1QY
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: £10, available from the Box Office on 01322 350345 or by filling out the form on the webpage (_http://www.playhouse.org.uk/show/mort/_). "Tickets can be posted to you or held at the Box Office for collection prior to the performance."
http://www.playhouse.org.uk/next-seasons-shows/
* WYRD SISTERS IN RHYL, LLAMEDOS (OCTOBER)
Rhyl Liberty Players will be staging their production of Wyrd Sisters in October: "RLP is an award-winning Amateur Dramatics Society based in Rhyl, North Wales. The society has existed for over 70 years and is still going strong today. We have members of all ages who usually put on two fantastic productions a year. We also take part in drama festivals and community events."
When: 25th–28th October 2017
Venue: The Little Theatre, 2 Vale Rd, Rhyl LL18 1AA
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £9 plus a booking fee of 7.5 per cent (concessions £8.50 plus same booking fee). To purchase, go to https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/venue/FEMDJL and click on your desired date.
http://www.libertyplayers.co.uk/Wyrd_Sisters.htm
http://rhyllittletheatre.co.uk/whats-on/whats-coming-soon/
* MEN AT ARMS IN BERKSHIRE (OCTOBER)
The Cranbourne Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) will be staging Men At Arms, directed by Simon Heffer, as their autumn production: "The Ankh-Morpork City Night Watch find their services are once more needed to tackle a threat to their city. A threat at least as deadly as a 60-foot dragon, but mechanical and heartless to boot. It kills without compunction. It is the first gun on the Discworld. The original Watch – Captain Vimes, Sergeant Colon, Corporal Carrot and Corporal Nobbs – are joined by some new recruits, selected to reflect the city's ethnic make-up – Lance-constables Cuddy, Detritus, and Angua. In a city, where Assassins are clowning about and Fools are dying, the Watch must keep control of themselves as much as its citizens."
A rather adorable promotional video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/Dx_ndpHGevw (Looks like it's going to be great fun! – Ed.)
When: 26th, 27th and 28th October 2017
Venue: St Peter's Hall, Hatchet Lane, Cranbourne, Winkfield, Berks. SL4 2EG
Time: 7.45pm all evening shows, with a 2.30pm matinee on the 28th
Tickets: £9, available from 25th September (details to follow)
http://www.cadsact.org.uk/shows/
* THE TRUTH IN ADELAIDE, FOURECKS (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER)
Unseen Theatre's next production will be a revisiting of The Truth – updated for the Age of Fake News, we hope!
When: 27th and 28th October, 1st–4th and 8th–11th November 2017
Venue: Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas St. Adelaide, South Australia
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: $22 ($18 concessions/Fringe members/groups of 6+); previews $15, available via http://bakehousetheatre.com or at the door on performance nights
http://unseen.com.au/
* WYRD SISTERS IN HERTFORDSHIRE (NOVEMBER)
The Water Lane Theatre Company, a "local amateur dramatics company from Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, performing a range of dramatic theatre, from Shakespeare to children's plays – and everything in between!", will be staging their production of Wyrd Sisters in November.
When: 9th–11th November 2017
Venue: the Charis Centre, Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford CM23 2JZ
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £9 plus a 10 per cent booking fee. To purchase, go to https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/waterlane and click on your desired date.
http://waterlanetheatrecompany.co.uk/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4VkXEkjg5dOTFZTRDRybW9LdHc/view
* THE TRUTH IN BASILDON (NOVEMBER)
The Thalian Theatre Group's next Discworld production will be The Truth: "William de Worde is the accidental editor of the Discworld's first newspaper. Now he must cope with the traditional perils of a journalist's life – people who want him dead, a recovering vampire with a suicidal fascination for flash photography and a man who keeps begging him to publish pictures of his humorously shaped potatoes. William just wants to get at the Truth, unfortunately everyone wants to get at William... this will be the Thalian's 12th Pratchett production."
When: 9th–11th November 2017
Venue: Mirren Studio, Towngate Theatre, Basildon, Essex SS14 1DL
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: £11 (concessions £9), plus a booking fee of £1 per ticket, capped at £10. "A ticket must be purchased for every child regardless of age." To purchase online, go to http://www.towngatetheatre.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4718 and click the BOOK TICKETS ONLINE tab (under the event poster image), or ring 01268 465 465
http://thaliantheatregroup.wixsite.com/thalian/about
* MORT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER)
Roleystone Theatre, "a non-for-profit community group managed entirely by volunteers", will stage their production of Mort in November and December.
When: 24th, 25th and 29th November and 1st and 2nd December 2017
Venue: Roleystone Theatre, 587 Brookton Hwy, Roleystone, Western Australia
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: $20 ($15 u-18's/Pensioners; 10 tickets bought receives an 11th free), which will be available for purchase via https://www.roleystonetheatre.com.au/web/Coming%20Attractions
https://www.roleystonetheatre.com.au/
4.2 PLAYS LATER IN 2017
* LORDS AND LADIES IN NORWICH (DECEMBER)
The Youth Theatre Company will present their production of the Irana Brown adaptation of Lords and Ladies in December.
When: Thursday 14th – Saturday 16th December 2017
Venue: Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL
Time: 7.30pm all shows (includes audio described performance on the 16th)
Tickets: £10 (jobseeker/over 60 £8.50) plus £1.20 per order for Postage and Packaging. To purchase tickets, go to http://bit.ly/2gemJKI and select your desired date.
https://secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/Online/
* RAISING STEAM IN ABINGDON: A POSTPONEMENT
The Studio Theatre Club have slightly updated their announcement: "Don't tell anyone yet (this is just between you and us), it's still a long way off (2018!), we've only just had the formal permission for a new play and Stephen's still writing it, but he thinks it's about time he tackled another of the novels, and the third in the Moist von Lipwig Trilogy might just be the right one. It's been on his to-do list for a while...he thinks he owes it to Terry... Tickets are not yet on sale. News here when they are!" – but still no news beyond that...
http://www.studiotheatreclub.com/discworld
4.3 PLAYS IN 2018
* MASKERADE IN READING (JANUARY 2018)
The Progress Theatre will be staging their production of Maskerade in January next year.
When: 18th–27th January 2018
Venue: Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL
Time: 7.45pm all evening shows, 2.30pm matinees on 20th and 27th January
Tickets: TBA
http://progresstheatre.co.uk/maskerade
* MONSTROUS REGIMENT IN GEORGIA USA (FEBRUARY 2018)
Gainesville Theatre Alliance's 2017-2018 season will feature their production of Monstrous Regiment in a "February Festival of Theatre". "GTA is a nationally acclaimed collaboration of the University of North Georgia, Brenau University, theatre professionals and the northeast Georgia community that has yielded state and national awards."
When: 16th–24th February 2018
Venue: UNG-Gainesville's Ed Cabell Theatre, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA
Time: 7:30pm evening shows on the 16th, 18th, 20th-24th, and 2:30pm matinees on the 17th & 24th
Tickets: $18-20 for adults, $16-18 for seniors and $12-14 for students, depending on seat location, available from www.gainesvilleTHEATREalliance.org or by phoning the Box Office at 678 717 3624. NOTE: by early August, 97 percent of the GTA performances were sold out. "Theater-goers may purchase tickets to one show or all five. They also may build their own custom ticket package, earning discounts for two shows or more."
http://blog.ung.edu/gta/performances/index/
http://blog.ung.edu/gta/performances/tickets/
* MASKERADE IN YORK (FEBRUARY 2018)
We Are Theatre's next Discworld play will be the Stephen Briggs adaptation of Maskerade!
When: 26th–28th Feb 2018
Venue: The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PR
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £10, bookable by phoning 07521 364107 (note that there is only limited seating available)
http://www.wearetheatre.co.uk/upcoming-productions.html
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05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
5.1 DISCWORLD.COM NEWS
* Socks!
Has the Eater of Socks been paying you too many visits lately? Discworld.com has the solution: Discworld socks! Officially licensed Discworld socks, a Discworld.com exclusive, come in four varieties, . All the socks are made of 75% Cotton, 23% Nylon, 2% Elastane and sized to fit men's 7 – 11:
City Watch Socks: "Sprinting – or shall we say 'proceeding' – down a cobbled Ankh-Morpork street takes its toll after a while. Treat your toes to some sensible footwear – your regulation boots may be made of cardboard but there's no reason to scrimp on the socks! One pair of khaki green socks with the crest and motto of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch in burnt orange... Certainly better quality than the standard-issue City Watch uniform socks…"
Death Socks: "Your white horse is saddled, your scythe is polished and you're just about ready to murder a curry. But whilst bare feet might work for your skeletal master, it's a little cold for you… These socks are warm and add an air of authority when reaping mortal souls across the Discworld. The trousers of time have nothing on these socks of Death! One pair of black socks with Death's omega symbol and one of His most well-known sayings in electric blue. Look stylish on all astral planes."
The Turtle Moves Socks: "It's a long way through the desert, and it's hard on your sandaled feet as you flee the Quisition. Whether or not you have the god Om in the shape of a tortoise with you, you can remain firm in your beliefs with these chelonium socks. One pair of blue socks featuring the Great A'Tuin and the motto 'The Turtle Moves' in emerald green. Guaranteed to thoroughly irk any nearby Omnian priests."
Unseen University Socks: "Your robes fit a treat, you've loosened your belt for a feast, your long white beard looks immaculate – but the Eater of Socks has struck again! Treat your toes to some fantastical footwear, the safest way to stave off the advances of the verruca gnome. One pair of burgundy socks with the crest and name of Unseen University in yellow gold. Guaranteed not to be devoured by sock-eating manifestations caused by excess amounts of belief."
Each pair of Discworld socks is priced at £6.50, or you can purchase a complete set of all four pairs for £22.50. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/socks/
* The Little Blue Book!
"Launched to celebrate the new exhibition at Salisbury Museum, Terry Pratchett: HisWorld, this collectable book features an introduction by exhibition curator Richard Henry and a guide to some of the Discworld's most memorable characters, all illustrated by Paul Kidby. Text is by Stephen Briggs. An extremely limited print run, this book is available embossed from Discworld.com while stocks last."
The Little Blue Book is priced at £20 plus shipping. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/collectables/little-blue-book/
* The Discworld Imaginarium!
Paul Kidby's masterwork, available now to pre-order!
"Paul Kidby was Sir Terry Pratchett's artist of choice. He provided the illustrations for THE LAST HERO, designed the covers for the Discworld novels since 2002 and is the author of the bestseller THE ART OF THE DISCWORLD and TERRY PRATCHETT'S DISCWORLD COLOURING BOOK. Now, he has collected the very best of his Discworld illustrations in this definitive volume, including 40 pieces of never-before-seen art, 30 pieces that have only appeared in foreign editions, limited editions and Book Club editions, and 17 book cover illustrations since 2004 that have never been seen without cover text. Sir Terry Pratchett himself once said that Kidby's art is 'the closest anyone's got to how I see the characters'. If Terry Pratchett's pen gave his characters life, Paul Kidby's brush allowed them to live it, and nowhere is that better illustrated than in this magnificent book."
Terry Pratchett's Discworld Imaginarium is priced at £35 in paperback and will be published on 23rd November 2017. For more information, and to pre-order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/bookloversday/terry-pratchetts-discworld-imaginarium-pre-order/
There is also a slipcased Special Edition, priced at £75 ("This Special Edition features an alternative cover design, a new piece of artwork produced exclusively for this version. It includes a specially designed slipcase, metallic page edgings and marker ribbon. All copies signed by Paul Kidby"), and a hardcover Deluxe Special Edition, priced at £100 ("This Deluxe Special Limited Edition is exclusive to only Discworld.com and PaulKidby.com. More details to follow shortly. Watch this space!"), both with a 23rd November release date. For more information, and to pre-order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/bookloversday/terry-pratchetts-discworld-imaginarium-special-edition-pre-order/ (Special Edition)
https://discworld.com/products/collectables/imaginarium-deluxe-special-edition-pre-order/ (Deluxe Special Edition)
5.2 DISCWORLD EMPORIUM NEWS
* The Unseen University jigsaw puzzle!
"The Great Library at Unseen University, as you've never 'Unseen' it before! See the most magical library in the multiverse unfold before your eyes with our exclusive 1000 piece Discworld jigsaw puzzle, featuring an astonishing illustration to make any booklover go wobbly at the knees – Ook! Terry Pratchett's multi-dimensional library in one thousand puzzling pieces! This fiendishly difficult Discworld jigsaw puzzle will transport you to the heart of Unseen University, where magical books literally fly off the shelves, and the Librarian has very long arms, a fondness for bananas and a tendency to say 'Ook'! We teamed up with Discworld artist David Wyatt to capture a view of this puzzling place with an incredible illustration packed full of details from Terry Pratchett's Discworld books – you may even spot a familiar face or two! Guaranteed to keep you entertained for days and possibly weeks, each puzzle is presented in a splendid spellbook box that you'll want to keep chained to your bookshelf! Health warning; this puzzle may have you reaching for the Dried Frog Pills, but we promise it won't make you go completely 'Bursar'!"
"Our production procedures safeguard against missing pieces, so please allow a few days of searching before declaring a piece missing! Puzzle pieces like to attach themselves to clothing, pets and children, so thoroughly check the packaging and any rooms used for opening, constructing, transporting or storing the jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle contains pieces of the same shape with similar imagery. If you are left with pieces that appear not to fit please double and triple check the puzzle to make sure that all of the pieces you've placed belong where they are."
The completed jigsaw puzzle measures 70 x 50cm; the puzzle box measures 20.5 x 25.6 x 6.3cm. The Unseen University jigsaw puzzle is priced at £19.50. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://www.discworldemporium.com/games-toys/407-unseen-university-library-jigsaw-puzzle
Note: there is also a blog entry of interest, on how the UU Library was created: "What could possibly mean more to a reading addict than a book? A Library, of course! A temple for the worship of words. For us, the Great Library of Unseen University on the Discworld is, quite literally, the most magical literary institution of them all, containing the highest concentration of 'bookishness' anywhere in the multiverse! We wanted to pay artistic tribute to this astonishing establishment by devising an image to make every book-lover go weak at the knees, a view of this monumentally impossible place that would draw you in for a moment and make you want to stay forever..."
https://www.discworldemporium.com/blog/illustrating-the-unseen-university-library-n3
* Father Christmas's Fake Beard!
"Terry Pratchett presents Christmas with a difference! Forget the tinsel and turkey, gifts and games, and indulge in abominable snowmen, explosive mince pies, a Santa Claus who ends up arrested for burglary, and a partridge in a pear tree! Enjoy a festive frolic with ten early short stories written by Terry for the Bucks Free Press in his days as a journalist - Father Christmas's fake beard will have you chortling, giggling and possibly crying into your Christmas pudding!"
Father Christmas's Fake Beard is priced at £12.99. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://www.discworldemporium.com/younger-readers-books/388-father-christmas-s-fake-beard
There is also a deluxe edition available, priced at £25, to be published on 5th November. For more information, and to pre-order, go to:
https://www.discworldemporium.com/younger-readers-books/389-father-christmas-s-fake-beard-deluxe-edition-pre-order
Note: It's also worth having a shufti at the new (re)releases page: https://www.discworldemporium.com/12-books
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06) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
As this may be the only issue in October, despite its being only half-way through the month, here are November's meetup dates:
The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld Group" (motto "Nil percussio est"), will be meeting next from 7pm on Monday 6th November 2017 at the Monkey Puzzle, 30 Southwick Street, London, W2 1JQ. "We welcome anyone and everyone who enjoys Sir Terry's works, or quite likes them or wants to find out more. We have had many visitors from overseas who have enjoyed themselves and made new friends. The discussions do not only concern the works of Sir Terry Pratchett but wander and meander through other genres and authors and also leaping to TV and Film production. We also find time for a quiz."
The Drummers have also taken up doing the odd afternoon meetup. For more information, go to http://brokendrummers.org/ or email BrokenDrummers@gmail.com or nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
*
Canberra, Australia's Discworld fan group is Drumknott's Irregulars: "The group is open to all, people from interstate and overseas are welcome, and our events will not be heavily themed. Come along to dinner for a chat and good company. We welcome people from all fandoms (and none) and we would love to see you at one of our events, even if you're just passing through. Please contact us via Facebook (_https://www.facebook.com/groups/824987924250161/_) or Google Groups (_https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/drumknotts-irregulars_) or join us at our next event."
*
For Facebook users in Fourecks: The Victorian Discworld Klatch is "a social group for fans of Discworld and Terry Pratchett... run by a dedicated team who meet monthly and organise events monthly." "If you'd like to join our events please ask to join the Klatch."
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VictorianDiscworldKlatch
*
"The Gathering of the Loonies (Wincanton chapter)" is a public Facebook meeting group: "This group, by request of Jo in Bear will continue to be used for future unofficial (not run by the Emporium) fan Gatherings in Wincanton. Look here for information." Future events will include the Hogswatch Express meet (24th-26th November 2017) and the Did You Bring a Beer Along meeting (celebrating 20 years of The Last Continent) in April 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373578522834654/
*
The Pratchett Partisans are a fan group who meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett. We hold events such as Discworld dinners, games afternoons, Discworld photo scavenger hunts. We also attend opening night at Brisbane Arts Theatre's Discworld plays." The Partisans currently have about 200 members who meet at least twice a month, usually in Brisbane.
For more info about their next meetup, join up at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pratchettpartisans/ or contact Ula directly at uwilmott@yahoo.com.au
*
The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South Australia: "We have an established Terry Pratchett & Discworld fan group in Adelaide called The City of Small Gods, which is open to anyone who would like to come – you don't have to live in Adelaide or even South Australia, or even be a Discworld fan, but that's mostly where our events will be held, and we do like discussing Pratchett's works. Our (semi-) regular meetings are generally held on the last Thursday of the month at a pub or restaurant in Adelaide. We have dinner at 6.30pm followed by games until 9pm. The games are usually shorter games like Pairs, Sushi Go, or Tiny Epic Defenders, with the occasional Werewolf session, as these are the best sort of games that work in a pub setting. Every few months, we have a full day's worth of board games at La Scala Cafe, 169 Unley Rd, Unley in the function room starting at 10am. In addition, we will occasionally have other events to go and see plays by Unseen Theatre Company, book discussions, craft, chain maille or costuming workshops or other fun social activities."
The next CoSG events will be a the Monthly Dinner and Games at the Caledonian Hotel on 26th October; a group outing to see Unseen Theatre's production of The Truth on 2nd November; and Pirate Bowling at Cross Road Bowl on 4th November.
The CoSG also have another identity. Here's the skinny:
Round World Events SA Inc is a not-for-profit incorporated association whose aim is to run fun social Pratchett-themed events for people in South Australia. Our first major event was the Unseen University Convivium held in July 2012. We have also run three successful and booked out Science Fiction and Fantasy themed quiz nights named Quiz Long And Prosper, in 2013, 2014 and 2015! We are also running the next Australian Discworld Convention, Nullus Anxietas VI – The Discworld Grand Tour – taking place in August 2017. You can find more out about it on this very website (_http://ausdwcon.org/_)! The association will run some events under the City of Small Gods banner, but you do not have to be a Round World Events SA member to be part of City of Small Gods. However, we are always on the look out for new members for Round World Events SA to help us organise future events! Membership is $20 a year (for Adelaide locals) or $5 a year (for those not quite so close) and has the following benefits:
A shiny membership certificate all of your very own
Discounted entry price to some of the events we run
A warm, fuzzy feeling deep down in your chest (no, not quite that deep)
For more information, or to join as a member, please email RoundWorldEventsSA@gmail.com
www.cityofsmallgods.org.au
*
The Broken Vectis Drummers meet next on Thursday 2nd November 2017 (probably) from 7.30pm at The Castle pub in Newport, Isle of Wight. For more info and any queries, contact broken_vectis_drummers@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Wincanton Omnian Temperance Society (WOTS) next meets on Friday 3rd November 2017 (probably) at Wincanton's famous Bear Inn from 7pm onwards. "Visitors and drop-ins are always welcome!"
*
The Northern Institute of the Ankh-Morpork and District Society of Flatalists, a Pratchett fangroup, has been meeting on a regular basis since 2005. The Flatalists normally meet at The Narrowboat Pub in Victoria Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, to discuss "all things Pratchett" as well as having quizzes and raffles. Details of future meetings are posted on the Events section of the Discworld Stamps forum:
http://www.discworldstamps.co.uk/forum/
*
Sydney Drummers (formerly Drummers Downunder) meet next on Monday 6th November 2017 at 6.30pm in Sydney at 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney,2000. For more information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Treacle Mining Corporation, formerly known as Perth Drummers, meets next on Monday 6th November 2017 (probably) from 5.30pm at Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia. For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers or join their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/ – or message Alexandra Ware directly at <alexandra.ware@gmail.com>
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07) CLOSE
Just to wrap up for now...
A dialogue, presented without comment (but with rather a lot of involuntary giggling):
https://rubyandginger.wordpress.com/2017/10/12/dragons-like-coffee-too/ (worksafe)
Two members of the A-M City Watch, who showed up at Cork International Airport at IDWcon time:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLeTY30X4AMD7Tz.jpg
...and a beautiful iconograph, used as a header on a post from Pratchett-fan-site aggregator Clacks Header:
https://clacksheader.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/terry-writing.jpg
I'll leave you with a quote from Sir Pterry himself, from his last request – not a posthumous one, as originally reported – to Neil Gaiman re Good Omens: "I would very much like this to happen, and I know, Neil, that you're very busy, but no-one else could ever do it with the passion that we share for the old girl. I wish I could be more involved, and I will help in any way I can."
And he did help, by convincing Mr Gaiman to write the telly series himself.
Take care, and we'll see you next month... I hope!
– Annie Mac
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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner (at) pearwood (dot) info
Copyright (c) 2017 by Klatchian Foreign Legion
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
October 2017 (Volume 20, Issue 10, Post 1)
********************************************************************
WOSSNAME is a free publication offering news, reviews, and all the other stuff-that-fits pertaining to the works of Sir Terry Pratchett. Originally founded by the late, great Joe Schaumburger for members of the worldwide Klatchian Foreign Legion and its affiliates, including the North American Discworld Society and other continental groups, Wossname is now for Discworld and Pratchett fans everywhere in Roundworld.
********************************************************************
Editor in Chief: Annie Mac
News Editor: Vera P
Newshounds: Mogg, Sir J of Croydon Below, the Shadow, Mss C, Alison not Aliss
Staff Writers: Asti, Pitt the Elder, Evil Steven Dread, Mrs Wynn-Jones
Staff Technomancers: Jason Parlevliet, Archchancellor Neil, DJ Helpful
Book Reviews: Annie Mac, Drusilla D'Afanguin, Your Name Here
Puzzle Editor: Tiff (still out there somewhere)
Bard in Residence: Weird Alice Lancrevic
Emergency Staff: Steven D'Aprano, Jason Parlevliet
World Membership Director: Steven D'Aprano (in his copious spare time)
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INDEX:
01) EDITOR'S LETTER
02) REVIEW: DISCWORLD AND PHILOSOPHY
03) ODDS AND SODS
04) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
06) DISCWORLD METING GROUPS NEWS
07) CLOSE
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01) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
Dear readers,
I need a break.
I really, really need a break.
I've been saying for years now, every month, that I can't keep editing and compositing Wossname forever, but despite there no longer being any new Pratchett writings since The Shepherd's Crown, there are still writings-about-writings and plays-based-upon-writings and telly-shows-adapted-from-writings that merit being written about. However, there are also changes in Your Editor's circumstances that, at present, are making it ever more difficult to turn out a full issue every month. So I'm going to attempt a compromise, at least for the rest of this year, which will take the form of brevity: this issue, and the two after it, are likely to be cut to the bone. We do get clacks at the Fortress of Woss from readers who enjoy Around the Blogosphere and Roundworld Tales and the less frontline items (about orangutans, for example), and to those of you who have clacksed I offer apologies, but right now I feel it's best for me to ignore the anternet as much as I possibly can. But Wossname will continue, even if no-one else steps forward to take the editor's baton. After all, there's the Good Omens miniseries to consider...
Wossname is not going dark. It's just going quiet. Ish. For a bit.
On with the show...
– Annie Mac, Editor
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02) THE TURTLE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, AND ROUNDWORLD'S EPHEBIANS WANT A PIECE OF THE ACTION: A REVIEW OF DISCWORLD AND PHILOSOPHY
By Annie Mac
As I've mentioned before (in my review of another recent-ish book relating to philosophy and the works of Sir Terry Pratchett), I consider philosophy as thinking-about-thinking to be a worthy discipline but I have little patience with philosophy as practised by professional philosophers. I also mentioned that said other book seemed to be written specifically for philosophy students who liked Pratchett books. But Discworld and Philosophy, subtitled Reality Is Not What It Seems, reads more like a book by (mostly, on the face of it) Pratchett fans who happen to be philosophers. Without diminishing the worth of the other book, I think this one is more accessible to the general public, as it concentrates more on the concepts behind Sir Terry's "stealth philosophy" and relies less on jargon and/or assumptions of familiarity with the works of noted philosophers throughout history.
Also, to my surprise, Discworld and Philosophy contains quite a lot of fanfiction.
...no, really. Some of it is rather good-quality fanfiction, too. Philosophers writing fanfiction... heavy-question philosophical essays that are actually fun to read... who'd'a thunk it?
Using a similar format to that of the earlier philosophy-meets-flat-world-onna-turtle volume, Discworld and Philosophy is composed of twenty-three essays, divided into five sections, and the individual authors are once again generous in their application of what they imagine are Pratchettesque footnotes (and in some cases, are probably right). Section titles are "Rewriting Your Chem"; "Truth, Logic, and Law Are Nice, but Someone Still Has to Do the Wash"; "Some Things Are Necessary, Not Personal"; "Ye Canna' Ken What Ye Canna' Ken"; and "Probably Quantum". Authors – most of whom have contributed more than one essay – are, in order of first appearance, Vanessa Frolich, Matthew Skene, Michael Kugler, Jamie Carlin Watson, Brandon Kempner, Don Fallis, Daniel Malloy, Jeremy Pierce, Trip McCrossin, John V Karavitis, Douglas Jordan, Kamil Karas, Christopher Ketcham, Daniel Miori, and Nicolas Michaud (who is also the editor of the book).
Here follows a selection of what I consider to be the most outstanding essays in this collection, plus a few passing applications of mildly acid disapproval...
Section I
"More Golems Around Than You Might Think", by Vanessa Frolich: on postmodernism and power, how we all have chems (so to speak) that can be rewritten by people in power via the substitution of "texts" and "metanarratives" (I remember when these were known as memes; curses upon you, Roundworld Clacks, for hijacking the word!), and how the rough music of populism can create merry hell from the misapplication of modified texts.
Golem Morality in the Modern World, by Matthew Skene: purportedly on the morality of freedom, and the limits of personal responsibility... I think. This essay relies on the sort of ridiculously impractical supposition that in my opinion gives philosophers a bad name – positing that it can be considered immoral for any person to live at all above merest subsistence level if any other persons, anywhere, are living below it – and it got right up my nose because he references text on this subject by the Fourecksian philosopher Peter Singer, whose opinions generally *aren't* impractical, and who seems right in concert with Pratchett when it comes to what our favourite author described as the dreadful algebra of necessity. As a rank civilian in the demesne of betowelled Ephebians, I'm calling this one a load of tosh.
"We Willna Be Fooled Again! Wee Free Anarchists!" by Michael Kugler: on freedom and law, and Pratchett's interpretations thereof. This should have been a good'un, and the bones of it are worthy, but... I would have thought that when one is writing about a specific Discworld subject, and claiming – as it says of all these authors, in the book's preface – to be a huge Discworld fan, one can show enough respect for the source material to get names and terminology right, but Kugler's gaffes kept distracting me. Although he started off well enough, for some reason he refers variously to Granny Aching as "Grandmother Aching", "Grandma Aching", or plain "Aching", and to the Nac Mac Feegle as "the Wee Frees" (er, no; the Wee Frees are a Scots Protestant sect, which you can be sure Sir Pterry knew well), and comes up with something he calls "the Three Sights", despite Pratchett only giving us First Sight and Second Thoughts. Also, I wish to rain flames of incandescent fury on whoever – Kugler, his proofreader, or editor Michaud – for Failure to Properly Pluralise: "A little girl, Tiffany, grows up on her parent's farm", it says on page 27. No, and no, and a thousand times no; it's her *parents'* farm, or her father's farm (technically the Baron's farm, but I'd like to see Roland try to take it away from the Achings), but not her "parent's"... argh!
"The Liberating Power of Nanny Ogg's Bosom", by Vanessa Frolich: on how Nanny Ogg makes socially inappropriate behaviour a force for good. Frolich says, "When carnival and the grotesque meet high culture, they can bring it down to earth and question its boundaries" (page 41), and examines how Nanny's breaking of boundaries helped end Lily's reign in Witches Abroad.
"The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret", by Jamie Carlin Watson: on free speech, civic freedoms, well-meaning censorship, and Vetinari's and Vimes' ways of looking at these. This is a highly readable essay, low on jargon, with good footnote technique.
Section II
"The Absurdity of the Luggage", by Brandon Kempner: on absurdism and existentialism, the overwhelming human desire for order, and how a certain sapient pearwood travel accessory personifies the philosophical theories of Camus and Sartre.
"Pratchett's Republic": in his second essay, Brandon Kempner posits Pratchett as Plato and Ankh-Morpork as his "republic", compares and contrasts the modern "stealth philosopher" with the ancient Greek one, and presents Lord Vetinari as the "perfect Pratchett Philosopher King"(page 81), with Vimes and Carrot as his lieutenants: "It's only when Carrot's idealism, Vimes's practicality, and the Patrician's cleverness come together, that the city of Ankh-Morpork can survive and thrive" (ibid).
"Honesty Trumps Cleverness: Sam Vimes and Commonsense Philosophy", by Matthew Skene: making up for his shaky start in Section I, Skene offers a cracking good essay on the practicality of pragmatism, the dangers of following the advice of Some Guy Down the Pub (here, personified by Fred Colon), and the (acceptable, in both Skene's and my own opinion) limitations of scepticism – "Commonsense philosophy stands as a bastion of sanity amidst the storm, seeking to get philosophers to follow the lead of those like Sam Vimes who will take honesty over cleverness any day" (page 89). This was one of my favourites.
"Why Would You Put a Con Artist in Charge of the Money?" by Don Fallis: on the virtues of using deception in service of the greater good, musings on intentional deception, and the nature of counterfeit (counterfeitness? counterfeitcy?). A workmanlike essay; I enjoyed it.
"Lord Vetinari's Friendly Guide to Tyranny", by Daniel Malloy: a corker! – and also an excellent piece of fanfiction, in the form of a series of angry letters to the Ankh-Morpork Times as read by Lord Vetinari.
Section III
"Can a Leopard Change Its Shorts?" by Daniel Malloy: on the nature of cowardice – which some philosophers say cannot by definition exist – and Rincewind, who, according to Aristotle, isn't a coward, because the opposite of bravery is foolhardiness or recklessness, not cowardice. Note: also includes an amusing explanation of why one shouldn't try to put shorts on a leopard in the first place.
"Becoming Vetinari: Personal Identity on the Discworld", by Jeremy Pierce: on assumed identities as masks of functionality versus (attempted) assumption-by-metamorphosis of another person's identity, as shown by contrasting Moist von Lipwig and Cosmo Lavish, and Locke's and Leibniz' arguments about what a person *is* ("the axe of my grandfather" and teleporter accidents, anyone?). I found this to be one of the best essays in the book, with a lovely closing paragraph; Pierce also gets my Best Discworld-related Footnote Ever prize (see footnote 3, page 145).
"How to Be a Dwarf", by Daniel Malloy: on identity politics, gender, species, essentialism, assimilation, and all that jazz. Also discusses why Carrot *is* a dwarf but Thomas Stronginthearm isn't, and why Countess Notfaroutoe will never be a vampire no matter how hard she tries, and contains some interesting speculations about Cheery Littlebottom. A good, solid effort.
"Being One's Me: (Witchy) Personal Identity on the Discworld", by Trip McCrossin: aaand we're back to the axe of one's grandfather again, and the theories of Locke (again) and Joseph Butler, and self-recognition as applied to escaping from a prison of a million mirrors. Another solid offering.
Section IV
This is the shortest section, containing only three essays, and I have to say that it's also the shortest part of this review because I found little to enjoy. "The Serious Monk's Guide to Re-writing History", by John V. Karavitis, felt far too try-hard in its cutesy-clever tale of a literal monkey studying to be a History Monk. "Sin, My Young Man, Is When You Treat People as Things", an essay by Kamil Karas on defining sin, general morality, and "natural law", suffered from being a subject that's been rather done to death; and Douglas Jordan's "Getting at the Truth", on the quantification of knowledge ("what is knowledge?"), as proposed by philosophers through the ages, was only notable for me because my scribbled notes for it included "and Plato can -ing right -ing off". So let's move along...
Section V
"Fate on the Discworld and Roundworld", by Jeremy Pierce: on destiny, predestination, determinism, fate, call it what you like... oh, and Fate, of course, because no Discworld discussion of small-f fate is complete without that smarmy so-and-so... all couched in the form of an imagined conversation between Lu-Tze and Death, who drops in on our favourite Sweeper for a chat about his observations of UU's narrativium-free "Roundworld project". This is a wonderful essay that – quite unlike Getting at the Truth in the previous section – represents what I *do* like about philosophy. I suspect Pierce and Pratchett could have had some fascinating conversations.
"The Alchemy of Flat Worlds", by Christopher Ketcham: on... well, I'm not sure I'm confident to say *what* it's on. Possibly the discrete physics of two-dimensional and three-dimensional worlds, but I found Ketcham's choice of milieu – apparently a professor at UU giving a series of lectures, or maybe not, because if this is meant to be set on Discworld it fails spectacularly – and his frequent digressions, both as the professor and as "faithful narrator", so distracting that I failed at all six attempts to get all the way through the piece without bailing by dint of a combination of confusion and boredom. I can't give this one a pass, I'm afraid.
"The Intersection of Science and Philosophy, the Seediest Corner of Ankh-Morpork", by Daniel Miori: on the history of philosophy and similarities between philosophy and the scientific method, using the Science of Discworld series for examples. For some reason no clearer than mud to this reader (nor to several others I asked to read it), Miori chose to present his subsection titles as if spoken by Cohen without his "dine-chewers" in; I found this quite off-putting, as I kept looking for the relevance. Oh well.
"Welcome to My World", by Christopher Ketcham: on Umwelt, known to most of us non-Borogravian-speakers as one's personal universe ("life-world"). Ketcham considers the life-worlds of various Discworld entities/animals/objects including the God of Evolution, the ambiguous puzuma, dromes, the shadowing lemma, Gaspode, hermit elephants, and re-annual plants. An odd essay but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
"Cocking a Snook at Death, and Getting Away with It: Does the Personification of Death Make It Less Scary?" by Daniel Miori: on Death – considered by Miori to be "one of the most humane characters in the Discworld multiverse" (page279), dualism, the power of belief, definitions of being alive, and death as an anthropomorphic personification in Roundworld history and culture. Miori also scores points for a small but much appreciated sneer at the sort of nicey-nicey censorship that the Mrs Maccalariats of the world impose on public broadcasting (page 288), and a much larger, also justified, sneer at paternalism in the medical sector (page 288-289).
"I'd Rather Stay an Orangutan Because That's Why Discworld Exists", by Nicolas Michaud: editor Michaud brings Discworld and Philosophy to a delightful close with another round of inspired, well-crafted fanfiction, in the form of his own Ephebianesque-towel-clad interuniversal journey to an unexpected audience with Lord Vetinari, who has been convinced by UU to hire a "cheap ... philosopher" (page 294) to prove to that the Discworld exists in some form of reality. Along the way, Michaud "meets" the Bursar, Ridcully and the Librarian, and has a true-hearted go at presenting them in proper character. Oh, and there's a nice bit of recursion towards the end. (Note, however, to the proofreader, who may have been asleep at the wheel, erm, word processor: I think the word Michaud wanted was "disconcertingly". See, we can be pretty sure that "disconcertedly" is a term that has never been applicable to His Lordship. "Disconcertedly" is part of what happens to other people around Vetinari, not to the man himself.)
Discworld and Philosophy: Reality Is Not What It Seems
Edited by Nicolas Michaud (Open Court, 2016)
316 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8126-9919-7
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03) ODDS AND SODS
Paul Kidby will be giving an illustrated talk at the Salisbury Museum on 25th October:
https://www.facebook.com/paulkidby/posts/10158636758292355
*
Jon Hamm has been cast in Good Omens as the archangel Gabriel: "The character of Gabriel has a fleeting role in the original novel but showrunner Neil Gaiman explains why he is being developed for the screenplay: 'Once we had finished writing Good Omens, back in the dawn of prehistory, Terry Pratchett and I started plotting a sequel. There would have been a lot of angels in the sequel. When Good Omens was first published and was snapped up for the first time by Hollywood, Terry and I took joy in introducing our angels into the plot of a movie that was never made. So when, almost thirty years later, I started writing Good Omens for TV, one thing I knew was that our angels would have to be in there. The leader of these angels is Gabriel. He is everything that Aziraphale isn't: he's tall, good-looking, charismatic and impeccably dressed. We were fortunate that Jon Hamm was available, given that he is already all of these things without even having to act. We were even more fortunate that he's a fan of the books and a remarkable actor.' Commenting on his casting, Jon Hamm adds: 'I read Good Omens almost twenty years ago. I thought it was one of the funniest, coolest books I'd ever read. It was also, obviously, unfilmable. Two months ago Neil sent me the scripts, and I knew I had to be in it.'"
https://discworld.com/jon-hamm-joins-amazons-good-omens-archangel-gabriel/
*
Blogger Nikki's write-up of the Terry Pratchett: HisWorld exhibit:
"The exhibition is a must-see for any Discworld fan. It features Terry's own treasured possessions, artwork by the man himself and over forty original illustrations by Paul Kidby (who I now realise was there viewing the exhibition at the same time as I was. I thought it might be him, but he was with family and I was too shy to say anything!)... I stood in awe in front of Terry Pratchett's desk, his six (yes, six!) monitors dominating it. Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell album playing on iTunes on one screen (the man had taste!), Doom loaded on another, the Arsenic page on Wikipedia (research, no doubt), a BBC News article about his first major award win, the obligatory file window and the Night Watch novel being typed into a Word document, as if the ghost of Terry Pratchett was sat there typing as a teary-eyed Discworld fan looked on. The Luggage sat quietly next to Terry's desk. I kept a close eye on it. It's well known for being 'half suitcase, half homicidal maniac' and fiercely defensive of its owner. Many people and creatures have been eaten by this suitcase on hundreds of little legs and I didn't want to risk upsetting it! The Octavo sat in one corner of Terry's recreated office. I didn't look too closely at the book as it has a mind of its own and a spell once decided to live in Rincewind's head. Terry's trademark hat, leather jacket and stick stood encased in glass with a description from Terry... This exhibition is Terry Pratchett's life in his own words, punctuated by artwork and possessions. His words adorn the walls and sit next to his possessions. From this headmaster telling him he would never amount to anything (how wrong was he?!) to test papers from 2009 and 2010 showing the effect his form of Alzheimer's (Posterior Cortical Atrophy) was having on his ability to draw and write..."
http://notesoflife.uk/2017/10/terry-pratchett-hisworld-exhibition/
Also, a few other bloggy bits, as I'd already gathered them whilst looking for more pieces about the Terry Pratchett: HisWorld exhibition...
Blogger Amy's review of The Long Earth:
"I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. I read some pretty dire reviews before purchasing but I had faith in Terry Pratchett and his work. There are a few things that I don't like about the novel but overall it was a positive experience for me... The characters that this novel focuses on are great. They're varied in terms of age and race and ambition so it was great to see such a wide variety of characters interacting with the same idea in different ways. Joshua, the main character, is sarcastic and witty but also loyal and trustworthy. He's somewhat famous in his own world but he prefers the solitude that he finds on the far off Earths that he can travel to. He's an orphan and was brought up by a strange bunch of nuns. I loved the nuns. They were the best characters in the books for me because they were just so funny and weird... The opening sequence was fantastic. I loved the imagery that was created in both the 1914 scene and the 2015 scene. There's a mystical quality about these scenes which is replicated later as Joshua and Lobsang step beyond what is known about the Long Earth and into the abyss... One thing I didn't like about this book was the length. This book was just too long. It was occasionally boring too which didn't help the length of it. I had to power through some sections but it was really worth it in the end..."
http://bit.ly/2zmKchH
Blogger Muse With Me returns to review Guards! Guards!:
"Pratchett does his best work when he's telling a story first, rather than using the plotline as a vehicle for his humour, and this book definitely fits that category. Sam Vimes and the Watch have a rather dramatic arc over the course of the story, going from a pathetic ramshackle organization with no real authority or sense of will, to one that's more assertive with a growing sense of duty. They still have a long way to go, but it was satisfying to see a ragtag group come together and be better than they thought possible... The book uses familiar tropes of rightful heirs returning and dragon slaying, which many of the characters are consciously aware of, to explore this idea... while I thought I could see where the plot was going once the setup was underway in the early parts of the novel, I was pleased to see things take a dramatically different turn than I expected..."
http://bit.ly/2z7t1Qp
...and a review of Mort by blogger An Ice Cold Bear:
"The worst thing a joke can do is overstay its welcome and I never found that to be the case in Mort. It clocks in at just under 300 pages and is thoroughly enjoyable throughout. The jokes keep coming and then promptly see themselves out in a timely fashion. Some small things are left for you to catch rather than every single thing being made clear which lets little jokes or puns feel natural rather than making them too blatant... Death steals the show from the titular character though, particularly when he takes a holiday halfway through the book – it's fantastic... The humour was a little thin in the second half of the book. This is somewhat expected since the plot needed resolving. Not to say that it wasn't funny, just that the density was lower than the first half of the book. Luckily the plot finished up and got out of the way quick enough which allowed the humour to seep back in for the very end (the final exchange between Mort and Death was brilliant)..."
https://anicecoldbear.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/mort-review/
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04) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
4.1 PLAYS IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
* WYRD SISTERS IN ONTARIO, CANADA (OCTOBER)
The Sault Theatre Workshop will present their production of Wyrd Sisters this month!
When: 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th October 2017
Venue: Studio Theatre, 121 Pittsburg Avenue, P6C 5A9 Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada (phone)+1 705-254-3366
Time: 8pm all evening shows; 2pm matinee on the 29th
Tickets: CA$29 ($27 seniors, $19 students), available online at https://th038wq008.boxpro.net/c2bownet.asp
There will also be a special preview performance of Wyrd Sisters on Tuesday 24th October on behalf of the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District (all proceeds donated from this performance). Tickets for this performance only are CA$25 in advance only, available at the Alzheimer Society office, 341 Trunk Rd, Sault Ste Marie. To book, ring 705-942-2195.
www.saulttheatre.com
* MORT IN READING (OCTOBER)
Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group will present their production of Mort, "an off beat tale of bacon, eggs and destiny", in October.
"Terry Pratchett's Discworld will once more be gracing the stage at Loddon Hall. We are putting on a production of Mort, which will involve a large cast, plenty of dramatic moments and a lot of laughs."
When: 5th–7th October 2017
Venue: Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9JA
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: £7, £8, £9 and £10, available online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/171598
http://www.twyrusdrama.org.uk
* WYRD SISTERS IN WINSLOW (OCTOBER)
Winslow Players, "a small but perfectly formed amateur dramatic company based in the market town of Winslow", will be opening their 50th anniversary season with their production of Wyrd Sisters! "It's all there – a wicked duke and duchess, the ghost of the murdered king, dim soldiers, strolling players, a land in peril; and who stands between the Kingdom and destruction? Three witches!"
When: 5th–7th October 2017
Venue: Winslow Public Hall, Elmfields Gate, Winslow, Bucks MK18 3JG
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £6 on 5th October, £8 on 6th and 7th October, available from Divine Diva Fancy Dress, 76 High Street, Winslow (01296 712728 during office hours) or by emailing tickets@winslowplayers.co.uk or by using the form on the Contact Us page (_http://www.winslowplayers.co.uk/Contact-Us.html_). "Your tickets will be provisionally booked until payment is received in full (either by bacs* or cheque). If you would like your tickets posted to you, you will need to enclose a stamped addressed envelope, otherwise they will be available for you to collect on the door at your selected performance."
http://www.winslowplayers.co.uk/
* MORT IN KENT (OCTOBER)
The Erith Playhouse are staging their production of Mort in October.
When: 9th–14th October 2017
Venue: Erith Playhouse, 38–40 High Street, Erith, Kent DA8 1QY
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: £10, available from the Box Office on 01322 350345 or by filling out the form on the webpage (_http://www.playhouse.org.uk/show/mort/_). "Tickets can be posted to you or held at the Box Office for collection prior to the performance."
http://www.playhouse.org.uk/next-seasons-shows/
* WYRD SISTERS IN RHYL, LLAMEDOS (OCTOBER)
Rhyl Liberty Players will be staging their production of Wyrd Sisters in October: "RLP is an award-winning Amateur Dramatics Society based in Rhyl, North Wales. The society has existed for over 70 years and is still going strong today. We have members of all ages who usually put on two fantastic productions a year. We also take part in drama festivals and community events."
When: 25th–28th October 2017
Venue: The Little Theatre, 2 Vale Rd, Rhyl LL18 1AA
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £9 plus a booking fee of 7.5 per cent (concessions £8.50 plus same booking fee). To purchase, go to https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/venue/FEMDJL and click on your desired date.
http://www.libertyplayers.co.uk/Wyrd_Sisters.htm
http://rhyllittletheatre.co.uk/whats-on/whats-coming-soon/
* MEN AT ARMS IN BERKSHIRE (OCTOBER)
The Cranbourne Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) will be staging Men At Arms, directed by Simon Heffer, as their autumn production: "The Ankh-Morpork City Night Watch find their services are once more needed to tackle a threat to their city. A threat at least as deadly as a 60-foot dragon, but mechanical and heartless to boot. It kills without compunction. It is the first gun on the Discworld. The original Watch – Captain Vimes, Sergeant Colon, Corporal Carrot and Corporal Nobbs – are joined by some new recruits, selected to reflect the city's ethnic make-up – Lance-constables Cuddy, Detritus, and Angua. In a city, where Assassins are clowning about and Fools are dying, the Watch must keep control of themselves as much as its citizens."
A rather adorable promotional video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/Dx_ndpHGevw (Looks like it's going to be great fun! – Ed.)
When: 26th, 27th and 28th October 2017
Venue: St Peter's Hall, Hatchet Lane, Cranbourne, Winkfield, Berks. SL4 2EG
Time: 7.45pm all evening shows, with a 2.30pm matinee on the 28th
Tickets: £9, available from 25th September (details to follow)
http://www.cadsact.org.uk/shows/
* THE TRUTH IN ADELAIDE, FOURECKS (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER)
Unseen Theatre's next production will be a revisiting of The Truth – updated for the Age of Fake News, we hope!
When: 27th and 28th October, 1st–4th and 8th–11th November 2017
Venue: Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas St. Adelaide, South Australia
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: $22 ($18 concessions/Fringe members/groups of 6+); previews $15, available via http://bakehousetheatre.com or at the door on performance nights
http://unseen.com.au/
* WYRD SISTERS IN HERTFORDSHIRE (NOVEMBER)
The Water Lane Theatre Company, a "local amateur dramatics company from Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, performing a range of dramatic theatre, from Shakespeare to children's plays – and everything in between!", will be staging their production of Wyrd Sisters in November.
When: 9th–11th November 2017
Venue: the Charis Centre, Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford CM23 2JZ
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £9 plus a 10 per cent booking fee. To purchase, go to https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/waterlane and click on your desired date.
http://waterlanetheatrecompany.co.uk/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4VkXEkjg5dOTFZTRDRybW9LdHc/view
* THE TRUTH IN BASILDON (NOVEMBER)
The Thalian Theatre Group's next Discworld production will be The Truth: "William de Worde is the accidental editor of the Discworld's first newspaper. Now he must cope with the traditional perils of a journalist's life – people who want him dead, a recovering vampire with a suicidal fascination for flash photography and a man who keeps begging him to publish pictures of his humorously shaped potatoes. William just wants to get at the Truth, unfortunately everyone wants to get at William... this will be the Thalian's 12th Pratchett production."
When: 9th–11th November 2017
Venue: Mirren Studio, Towngate Theatre, Basildon, Essex SS14 1DL
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: £11 (concessions £9), plus a booking fee of £1 per ticket, capped at £10. "A ticket must be purchased for every child regardless of age." To purchase online, go to http://www.towngatetheatre.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4718 and click the BOOK TICKETS ONLINE tab (under the event poster image), or ring 01268 465 465
http://thaliantheatregroup.wixsite.com/thalian/about
* MORT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER)
Roleystone Theatre, "a non-for-profit community group managed entirely by volunteers", will stage their production of Mort in November and December.
When: 24th, 25th and 29th November and 1st and 2nd December 2017
Venue: Roleystone Theatre, 587 Brookton Hwy, Roleystone, Western Australia
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: $20 ($15 u-18's/Pensioners; 10 tickets bought receives an 11th free), which will be available for purchase via https://www.roleystonetheatre.com.au/web/Coming%20Attractions
https://www.roleystonetheatre.com.au/
4.2 PLAYS LATER IN 2017
* LORDS AND LADIES IN NORWICH (DECEMBER)
The Youth Theatre Company will present their production of the Irana Brown adaptation of Lords and Ladies in December.
When: Thursday 14th – Saturday 16th December 2017
Venue: Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL
Time: 7.30pm all shows (includes audio described performance on the 16th)
Tickets: £10 (jobseeker/over 60 £8.50) plus £1.20 per order for Postage and Packaging. To purchase tickets, go to http://bit.ly/2gemJKI and select your desired date.
https://secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/Online/
* RAISING STEAM IN ABINGDON: A POSTPONEMENT
The Studio Theatre Club have slightly updated their announcement: "Don't tell anyone yet (this is just between you and us), it's still a long way off (2018!), we've only just had the formal permission for a new play and Stephen's still writing it, but he thinks it's about time he tackled another of the novels, and the third in the Moist von Lipwig Trilogy might just be the right one. It's been on his to-do list for a while...he thinks he owes it to Terry... Tickets are not yet on sale. News here when they are!" – but still no news beyond that...
http://www.studiotheatreclub.com/discworld
4.3 PLAYS IN 2018
* MASKERADE IN READING (JANUARY 2018)
The Progress Theatre will be staging their production of Maskerade in January next year.
When: 18th–27th January 2018
Venue: Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL
Time: 7.45pm all evening shows, 2.30pm matinees on 20th and 27th January
Tickets: TBA
http://progresstheatre.co.uk/maskerade
* MONSTROUS REGIMENT IN GEORGIA USA (FEBRUARY 2018)
Gainesville Theatre Alliance's 2017-2018 season will feature their production of Monstrous Regiment in a "February Festival of Theatre". "GTA is a nationally acclaimed collaboration of the University of North Georgia, Brenau University, theatre professionals and the northeast Georgia community that has yielded state and national awards."
When: 16th–24th February 2018
Venue: UNG-Gainesville's Ed Cabell Theatre, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA
Time: 7:30pm evening shows on the 16th, 18th, 20th-24th, and 2:30pm matinees on the 17th & 24th
Tickets: $18-20 for adults, $16-18 for seniors and $12-14 for students, depending on seat location, available from www.gainesvilleTHEATREalliance.org or by phoning the Box Office at 678 717 3624. NOTE: by early August, 97 percent of the GTA performances were sold out. "Theater-goers may purchase tickets to one show or all five. They also may build their own custom ticket package, earning discounts for two shows or more."
http://blog.ung.edu/gta/performances/index/
http://blog.ung.edu/gta/performances/tickets/
* MASKERADE IN YORK (FEBRUARY 2018)
We Are Theatre's next Discworld play will be the Stephen Briggs adaptation of Maskerade!
When: 26th–28th Feb 2018
Venue: The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PR
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £10, bookable by phoning 07521 364107 (note that there is only limited seating available)
http://www.wearetheatre.co.uk/upcoming-productions.html
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05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
5.1 DISCWORLD.COM NEWS
* Socks!
Has the Eater of Socks been paying you too many visits lately? Discworld.com has the solution: Discworld socks! Officially licensed Discworld socks, a Discworld.com exclusive, come in four varieties, . All the socks are made of 75% Cotton, 23% Nylon, 2% Elastane and sized to fit men's 7 – 11:
City Watch Socks: "Sprinting – or shall we say 'proceeding' – down a cobbled Ankh-Morpork street takes its toll after a while. Treat your toes to some sensible footwear – your regulation boots may be made of cardboard but there's no reason to scrimp on the socks! One pair of khaki green socks with the crest and motto of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch in burnt orange... Certainly better quality than the standard-issue City Watch uniform socks…"
Death Socks: "Your white horse is saddled, your scythe is polished and you're just about ready to murder a curry. But whilst bare feet might work for your skeletal master, it's a little cold for you… These socks are warm and add an air of authority when reaping mortal souls across the Discworld. The trousers of time have nothing on these socks of Death! One pair of black socks with Death's omega symbol and one of His most well-known sayings in electric blue. Look stylish on all astral planes."
The Turtle Moves Socks: "It's a long way through the desert, and it's hard on your sandaled feet as you flee the Quisition. Whether or not you have the god Om in the shape of a tortoise with you, you can remain firm in your beliefs with these chelonium socks. One pair of blue socks featuring the Great A'Tuin and the motto 'The Turtle Moves' in emerald green. Guaranteed to thoroughly irk any nearby Omnian priests."
Unseen University Socks: "Your robes fit a treat, you've loosened your belt for a feast, your long white beard looks immaculate – but the Eater of Socks has struck again! Treat your toes to some fantastical footwear, the safest way to stave off the advances of the verruca gnome. One pair of burgundy socks with the crest and name of Unseen University in yellow gold. Guaranteed not to be devoured by sock-eating manifestations caused by excess amounts of belief."
Each pair of Discworld socks is priced at £6.50, or you can purchase a complete set of all four pairs for £22.50. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/socks/
* The Little Blue Book!
"Launched to celebrate the new exhibition at Salisbury Museum, Terry Pratchett: HisWorld, this collectable book features an introduction by exhibition curator Richard Henry and a guide to some of the Discworld's most memorable characters, all illustrated by Paul Kidby. Text is by Stephen Briggs. An extremely limited print run, this book is available embossed from Discworld.com while stocks last."
The Little Blue Book is priced at £20 plus shipping. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/collectables/little-blue-book/
* The Discworld Imaginarium!
Paul Kidby's masterwork, available now to pre-order!
"Paul Kidby was Sir Terry Pratchett's artist of choice. He provided the illustrations for THE LAST HERO, designed the covers for the Discworld novels since 2002 and is the author of the bestseller THE ART OF THE DISCWORLD and TERRY PRATCHETT'S DISCWORLD COLOURING BOOK. Now, he has collected the very best of his Discworld illustrations in this definitive volume, including 40 pieces of never-before-seen art, 30 pieces that have only appeared in foreign editions, limited editions and Book Club editions, and 17 book cover illustrations since 2004 that have never been seen without cover text. Sir Terry Pratchett himself once said that Kidby's art is 'the closest anyone's got to how I see the characters'. If Terry Pratchett's pen gave his characters life, Paul Kidby's brush allowed them to live it, and nowhere is that better illustrated than in this magnificent book."
Terry Pratchett's Discworld Imaginarium is priced at £35 in paperback and will be published on 23rd November 2017. For more information, and to pre-order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/bookloversday/terry-pratchetts-discworld-imaginarium-pre-order/
There is also a slipcased Special Edition, priced at £75 ("This Special Edition features an alternative cover design, a new piece of artwork produced exclusively for this version. It includes a specially designed slipcase, metallic page edgings and marker ribbon. All copies signed by Paul Kidby"), and a hardcover Deluxe Special Edition, priced at £100 ("This Deluxe Special Limited Edition is exclusive to only Discworld.com and PaulKidby.com. More details to follow shortly. Watch this space!"), both with a 23rd November release date. For more information, and to pre-order, go to:
https://discworld.com/products/bookloversday/terry-pratchetts-discworld-imaginarium-special-edition-pre-order/ (Special Edition)
https://discworld.com/products/collectables/imaginarium-deluxe-special-edition-pre-order/ (Deluxe Special Edition)
5.2 DISCWORLD EMPORIUM NEWS
* The Unseen University jigsaw puzzle!
"The Great Library at Unseen University, as you've never 'Unseen' it before! See the most magical library in the multiverse unfold before your eyes with our exclusive 1000 piece Discworld jigsaw puzzle, featuring an astonishing illustration to make any booklover go wobbly at the knees – Ook! Terry Pratchett's multi-dimensional library in one thousand puzzling pieces! This fiendishly difficult Discworld jigsaw puzzle will transport you to the heart of Unseen University, where magical books literally fly off the shelves, and the Librarian has very long arms, a fondness for bananas and a tendency to say 'Ook'! We teamed up with Discworld artist David Wyatt to capture a view of this puzzling place with an incredible illustration packed full of details from Terry Pratchett's Discworld books – you may even spot a familiar face or two! Guaranteed to keep you entertained for days and possibly weeks, each puzzle is presented in a splendid spellbook box that you'll want to keep chained to your bookshelf! Health warning; this puzzle may have you reaching for the Dried Frog Pills, but we promise it won't make you go completely 'Bursar'!"
"Our production procedures safeguard against missing pieces, so please allow a few days of searching before declaring a piece missing! Puzzle pieces like to attach themselves to clothing, pets and children, so thoroughly check the packaging and any rooms used for opening, constructing, transporting or storing the jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle contains pieces of the same shape with similar imagery. If you are left with pieces that appear not to fit please double and triple check the puzzle to make sure that all of the pieces you've placed belong where they are."
The completed jigsaw puzzle measures 70 x 50cm; the puzzle box measures 20.5 x 25.6 x 6.3cm. The Unseen University jigsaw puzzle is priced at £19.50. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://www.discworldemporium.com/games-toys/407-unseen-university-library-jigsaw-puzzle
Note: there is also a blog entry of interest, on how the UU Library was created: "What could possibly mean more to a reading addict than a book? A Library, of course! A temple for the worship of words. For us, the Great Library of Unseen University on the Discworld is, quite literally, the most magical literary institution of them all, containing the highest concentration of 'bookishness' anywhere in the multiverse! We wanted to pay artistic tribute to this astonishing establishment by devising an image to make every book-lover go weak at the knees, a view of this monumentally impossible place that would draw you in for a moment and make you want to stay forever..."
https://www.discworldemporium.com/blog/illustrating-the-unseen-university-library-n3
* Father Christmas's Fake Beard!
"Terry Pratchett presents Christmas with a difference! Forget the tinsel and turkey, gifts and games, and indulge in abominable snowmen, explosive mince pies, a Santa Claus who ends up arrested for burglary, and a partridge in a pear tree! Enjoy a festive frolic with ten early short stories written by Terry for the Bucks Free Press in his days as a journalist - Father Christmas's fake beard will have you chortling, giggling and possibly crying into your Christmas pudding!"
Father Christmas's Fake Beard is priced at £12.99. For more information, and to order, go to:
https://www.discworldemporium.com/younger-readers-books/388-father-christmas-s-fake-beard
There is also a deluxe edition available, priced at £25, to be published on 5th November. For more information, and to pre-order, go to:
https://www.discworldemporium.com/younger-readers-books/389-father-christmas-s-fake-beard-deluxe-edition-pre-order
Note: It's also worth having a shufti at the new (re)releases page: https://www.discworldemporium.com/12-books
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06) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
As this may be the only issue in October, despite its being only half-way through the month, here are November's meetup dates:
The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld Group" (motto "Nil percussio est"), will be meeting next from 7pm on Monday 6th November 2017 at the Monkey Puzzle, 30 Southwick Street, London, W2 1JQ. "We welcome anyone and everyone who enjoys Sir Terry's works, or quite likes them or wants to find out more. We have had many visitors from overseas who have enjoyed themselves and made new friends. The discussions do not only concern the works of Sir Terry Pratchett but wander and meander through other genres and authors and also leaping to TV and Film production. We also find time for a quiz."
The Drummers have also taken up doing the odd afternoon meetup. For more information, go to http://brokendrummers.org/ or email BrokenDrummers@gmail.com or nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
*
Canberra, Australia's Discworld fan group is Drumknott's Irregulars: "The group is open to all, people from interstate and overseas are welcome, and our events will not be heavily themed. Come along to dinner for a chat and good company. We welcome people from all fandoms (and none) and we would love to see you at one of our events, even if you're just passing through. Please contact us via Facebook (_https://www.facebook.com/groups/824987924250161/_) or Google Groups (_https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/drumknotts-irregulars_) or join us at our next event."
*
For Facebook users in Fourecks: The Victorian Discworld Klatch is "a social group for fans of Discworld and Terry Pratchett... run by a dedicated team who meet monthly and organise events monthly." "If you'd like to join our events please ask to join the Klatch."
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VictorianDiscworldKlatch
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"The Gathering of the Loonies (Wincanton chapter)" is a public Facebook meeting group: "This group, by request of Jo in Bear will continue to be used for future unofficial (not run by the Emporium) fan Gatherings in Wincanton. Look here for information." Future events will include the Hogswatch Express meet (24th-26th November 2017) and the Did You Bring a Beer Along meeting (celebrating 20 years of The Last Continent) in April 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373578522834654/
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The Pratchett Partisans are a fan group who meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett. We hold events such as Discworld dinners, games afternoons, Discworld photo scavenger hunts. We also attend opening night at Brisbane Arts Theatre's Discworld plays." The Partisans currently have about 200 members who meet at least twice a month, usually in Brisbane.
For more info about their next meetup, join up at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pratchettpartisans/ or contact Ula directly at uwilmott@yahoo.com.au
*
The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South Australia: "We have an established Terry Pratchett & Discworld fan group in Adelaide called The City of Small Gods, which is open to anyone who would like to come – you don't have to live in Adelaide or even South Australia, or even be a Discworld fan, but that's mostly where our events will be held, and we do like discussing Pratchett's works. Our (semi-) regular meetings are generally held on the last Thursday of the month at a pub or restaurant in Adelaide. We have dinner at 6.30pm followed by games until 9pm. The games are usually shorter games like Pairs, Sushi Go, or Tiny Epic Defenders, with the occasional Werewolf session, as these are the best sort of games that work in a pub setting. Every few months, we have a full day's worth of board games at La Scala Cafe, 169 Unley Rd, Unley in the function room starting at 10am. In addition, we will occasionally have other events to go and see plays by Unseen Theatre Company, book discussions, craft, chain maille or costuming workshops or other fun social activities."
The next CoSG events will be a the Monthly Dinner and Games at the Caledonian Hotel on 26th October; a group outing to see Unseen Theatre's production of The Truth on 2nd November; and Pirate Bowling at Cross Road Bowl on 4th November.
The CoSG also have another identity. Here's the skinny:
Round World Events SA Inc is a not-for-profit incorporated association whose aim is to run fun social Pratchett-themed events for people in South Australia. Our first major event was the Unseen University Convivium held in July 2012. We have also run three successful and booked out Science Fiction and Fantasy themed quiz nights named Quiz Long And Prosper, in 2013, 2014 and 2015! We are also running the next Australian Discworld Convention, Nullus Anxietas VI – The Discworld Grand Tour – taking place in August 2017. You can find more out about it on this very website (_http://ausdwcon.org/_)! The association will run some events under the City of Small Gods banner, but you do not have to be a Round World Events SA member to be part of City of Small Gods. However, we are always on the look out for new members for Round World Events SA to help us organise future events! Membership is $20 a year (for Adelaide locals) or $5 a year (for those not quite so close) and has the following benefits:
A shiny membership certificate all of your very own
Discounted entry price to some of the events we run
A warm, fuzzy feeling deep down in your chest (no, not quite that deep)
For more information, or to join as a member, please email RoundWorldEventsSA@gmail.com
www.cityofsmallgods.org.au
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The Broken Vectis Drummers meet next on Thursday 2nd November 2017 (probably) from 7.30pm at The Castle pub in Newport, Isle of Wight. For more info and any queries, contact broken_vectis_drummers@yahoo.co.uk
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The Wincanton Omnian Temperance Society (WOTS) next meets on Friday 3rd November 2017 (probably) at Wincanton's famous Bear Inn from 7pm onwards. "Visitors and drop-ins are always welcome!"
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The Northern Institute of the Ankh-Morpork and District Society of Flatalists, a Pratchett fangroup, has been meeting on a regular basis since 2005. The Flatalists normally meet at The Narrowboat Pub in Victoria Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, to discuss "all things Pratchett" as well as having quizzes and raffles. Details of future meetings are posted on the Events section of the Discworld Stamps forum:
http://www.discworldstamps.co.uk/forum/
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Sydney Drummers (formerly Drummers Downunder) meet next on Monday 6th November 2017 at 6.30pm in Sydney at 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney,2000. For more information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
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The Treacle Mining Corporation, formerly known as Perth Drummers, meets next on Monday 6th November 2017 (probably) from 5.30pm at Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia. For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers or join their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/ – or message Alexandra Ware directly at <alexandra.ware@gmail.com>
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07) CLOSE
Just to wrap up for now...
A dialogue, presented without comment (but with rather a lot of involuntary giggling):
https://rubyandginger.wordpress.com/2017/10/12/dragons-like-coffee-too/ (worksafe)
Two members of the A-M City Watch, who showed up at Cork International Airport at IDWcon time:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLeTY30X4AMD7Tz.jpg
...and a beautiful iconograph, used as a header on a post from Pratchett-fan-site aggregator Clacks Header:
https://clacksheader.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/terry-writing.jpg
I'll leave you with a quote from Sir Pterry himself, from his last request – not a posthumous one, as originally reported – to Neil Gaiman re Good Omens: "I would very much like this to happen, and I know, Neil, that you're very busy, but no-one else could ever do it with the passion that we share for the old girl. I wish I could be more involved, and I will help in any way I can."
And he did help, by convincing Mr Gaiman to write the telly series himself.
Take care, and we'll see you next month... I hope!
– Annie Mac
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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner (at) pearwood (dot) info
Copyright (c) 2017 by Klatchian Foreign Legion
