WOSSNAME

Wossname EARLY SPECIAL EDITION
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
August 2015 (Volume 18, Issue 8, 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 and activities 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, Wolfiekins
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) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) TRIBUTE VIDEO! SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE PRATCHETT QUOTES
04) COLLECTOR'S SPECIAL EDITION HARDBACK OF THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN
05) ERIC ON THE WIRELESS
06) TIFFANY ACHING: DELETED SCENES
07) ANOTHER RADIO TREAT
08) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
09) CLOSE

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01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"My father's own death was more protracted. He had a year's warning. It was pancreatic cancer. Technology kept him alive, at home and in a state of reasonable comfort and cheerfulness, for that year, during which we had those conversations that you have with a dying parent. Perhaps it is when you truly get to know them, when you ­realise that it is now you marching ­towards the sound of the guns and you are ready to listen to the advice and reminiscences that life was too crowded for up to that point. He ­unloaded all the anecdotes that I had heard before, about his time in India during the war, and came up with a few more that I had never heard. Then, at one point, he suddenly looked up and said, 'I can feel the sun of India on my face', and his face did light up rather magically, brighter and happier than I had seen it at any time in the previous year, and if there had been any justice or even narrative sensibility in the ­universe, he would have died there and then, shading his eyes from the sun of Karachi. He did not."

– from Shaking Hands with Death, the 2010 Richard Dimbleby lecture. And of course The Author then turned that beautiful but ultimately heartbreaking "sun of India" scene into a far happier ending for the Baron of the Chalk in I Shall Wear Midnight

"No one remembers the singer. The song remains."

– from The Last Hero. But in the case of Sir Terry Pratchett, both will be remembered

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02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR

EDITOR'S NOTE: MOST OF THE CONTENT IN THIS EARLY EDITION HAS ALREADY BEEN POSTED HERE, BUT IT MAKES GOOD READING IN ITS EZINE FORM SO I AM LEAVING THE ISSUE INTACT.

Rushing out an early edition for some exciting (and for some of it, time-dependent) news – especially item 3, about the Random House tribute video, and item 5 – Eric on the wireless. And speaking of tributes, there's still almost a week to go to reach that Kickstarter goal for making a tribute film at Sasquan this month:

"Terry Pratchett was a beloved figure at Worldcons for over 30 years. In this, the year of his passing, we're filming a love letter to Terry in the form of a fan-made documentary (this documentary has not been officially approved by Terry Pratchett's estate) at Sasquan / Worldcon 2015, which is being held August 19-23 in Spokane, Washington. Our film will be based on interviews with attending fans who are willing to share their memories of Terry and tell stories about the way the Discworld books have changed their lives.This is an excellent time to make our film as The Great Discworld Fan Gathering is set to take place at Sasquan; a first for any Worldcon.

"There have always been Discworld fans at Worldcons but this will be the first time we've asked them to come out in force, and proudly state The Turtle Moves. Sasquan, in their turn, has welcomed Discworld fans with open arms and is offering programing, events, exhibits and meets in Terry's honor. We have the con's permission to make this film, and we'll be there throughout the convention asking fans of the books – as well as people who knew and worked with Sir Terry - what they would like the world to remember about this funny, and very special man.

"We'll film the Discworld exhibit and take note of Discworld art at the convention, as well. We'll record Discworld cosplayers and gamers as they travel the convention. We'll record the best parts of panels, including the Terry Pratchett memorial panel, the Science and Technology of Discworld panels, and the Women of Discworld panel. You'll hear and see the great stories that result. Best of all, we'll interview the fans; people from all over the world who love the books, and who partied, chatted and laughed with Terry over the years.

"This film is being made by fans for fans, and is a non-profit effort. We'll post the budget and all expenses online so you can see where your money goes. Any funds left over from the making of this film will go to Terry's approved charities, which include Alzheimer's Research and the Orangutan Foundation.

"Please help us capture some wonderful memories of a man we all admire. Thank you, and Ook!"

To contribute, and to see further details about how the money will be spent, go to:

http://kck.st/1E9hdJl

On with the show – even if it's a short one!

– Annie Mac, Editor

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03) TRIBUTE VIDEO: SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE PRATCHETT QUOTES

From Random House Australia, calling out across the Roundworld:

"Around the world, fans of Terry Pratchett are coming together to take part in a video tribute dedicated to the legendary Discworld series. In photographing themselves with their most treasured quote from Discworld, people are capturing the delight, humour and fantastic adventure of these beloved books. These photographs will be woven together into a tribute video, to be released on YouTube later this year.

"27 August 2015 will mark the end of an era as the final book in the Discworld series, THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN, is published. It is also the final day you can submit your photos for inclusion in the tribute video, organised by Penguin Random House Australia.

"Anyone, anywhere can take part. Simply take a photo of yourself and your favourite quote from Discworld or Terry Pratchett – costumes, friends and pets optional – and email us it to us at theshepherdscrown@penguinrandomhouse.com.au

"With the final Discworld book almost upon us, a video tribute seems a fitting way to channel our appreciation for Terry Pratchett's words. Send us your contribution before 27 August 2015, the day THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN is released, and we'll take it from there – so you can get on with reading."

For more information, and to see some samples of Discworld fans and their tribute quotes, go to:

http://bit.ly/1IHQ1SV

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04) COLLECTOR'S SPECIAL EDITION HARDBACK OF THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN

Editor's note: unsurprisingly, the limited edition sold out in a matter of minutes – 120 of them, in fact. But I am reprinting this anyway, so we can all sigh for what we missed!

From Laura at terrypratchettbooks.com:

"Penguin Random House UK Children's are honoured to announce a very special collector's edition hardback of The Shepherd's Crown by Sir Terry Pratchett, with an exclusive art print from the illustrator of the Discworld novels, Paul Kidby. The edition will be published on 5th November.

"The luxury gold edition, packaged in a foiled 'honeycomb' slipcase, will be limited to just 500 copies. Each copy will be numbered and stamped by Rob Wilkins, Terry's close friend, using the 'Order of the Honeybee' insignia which is reserved for the special correspondence of Terry's office. With a beautiful debossed bee image on the front and back and bespoke bee ribbon bookmark, this special hardback contains special full-colour endpaper images from Discworld illustrator Paul Kidby, and a limited-edition colour print, signed and numbered by Kidby to match each book.

"The endpapers feature two never-before-seen colour illustrations: the landscape of Granny Weatherwax's home in Lancre, and Tiffany Aching's beloved Chalk. The exclusive signed and numbered print will feature an image of Tiffany standing on the Chalk, accompanied by the Wee Free Men. This is the image that Paul Kidby says he wanted to draw to honour Terry.

"In addition there are four commentaries on the folklore of the book from Jacqueline Simpson, co-author of The Folklore of Discworld, which include insights into shepherds' crowns and bees – which are a central motif of this final novel.

"Kidby says: 'When I read the first Tiffany Aching book I felt an immediate affinity for the Chalk as described by Terry, having lived on the Wiltshire downlands myself. Capturing aspects of this special landscape with pencil and paint was therefore a profoundly personal experience; illustrating the final Discworld novel written by Terry even more so. As I drew I remembered snippets of our conversations about folklore, gardening and recipes for nettle soup. We shared a love for the Chalk that seemed to exert a creative energy for us both. Our time is short, we must make the most of it and take care of the natural world around us which generates so much inspiration. Terry's writing helps to remind us of this, which is just one of the reasons I will always be grateful to him.'

"Rob Wilkins adds: 'The publication of The Shepherd's Crown is a momentous occasion and I am delighted that fans are to be offered an exclusive art print from Paul Kidby, a phenomenal talent who truly captures Discworld as Terry saw it. The combination of the limited edition print and the specially commissioned endpaper artwork makes for a very special and beautiful collector's edition of The Shepherd's Crown.'"

To view the original announcement, go to http://bit.ly/1MICqRg

The Waterstones price is listed at £100.00:

http://bit.ly/1T4Qh43

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05) ERIC ON THE WIRELESS

A BBC radio play in four parts, adapted by Robin Brooks and starring Mark Heap and Will Howard, starting next Monday (10th August) on BBC Radio 4 at 6.15pm:

1/ 4 (13 minutes): When precocious young Eric Thursley summons a demon from the loathsome pit to fulfil his every wish, he certainly gets what he asked for. Just... not exactly what he asked for. That's the problem with wishes.

Rincewind ..... Mark Heap
Eric ..... Will Howard
Death ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Archchancellor ..... Robert Blythe
Parrot ..... Ben Crowe
Demon King Astfgl ..... Nicholas Murchie
Screwpate ..... Michael Shelford
Mother ..... Christine Absalom
Narrator ..... Rick Warden

Director ..... Jonquil Panting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r0zb9

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06) TIFFANY ACHING: DELETED SCENES

From the "private musings of Tiffany Aching", courtesy of Penguin Books:

On becoming:

"Tiffany didn't often have nightmares, but sometimes, when she couldn't sleep, she found herself worrying about who she was and why she was and where she was and how she had got there. The tinkling and occasional twang answered the last question, and all the others amounted to whom would you have been by now if you hadn't been who you are?

"Supposing on that spring day young Tiffany Aching hadn't gone down to the stream with a frying pan because a monster had scared her brother. They could have gone for a walk in an entirely different direction! Would the Tiffany who didn't take her brother down to the stream on that day have ended up as a witch? What would she be doing now? Would she have become a witch anyway, bouncing through life until she landed in the slot marked witch? Supposing one of the other girls had gone down to the river that day? Would she be the witch today, watching Tiffany Aching being prodded by that stupid old woman with the stick, and dreaming and hoping that she would meet a village boy who would make a decent enough husband with enough manners to get out of the tin tub when he wanted a wee.

"It was a suddenly intriguing question because one answer meant that you could never change anybody, and that was horrible."

On witches:

"Somehow everybody knew that witches were bad and witches were trouble and witches were a problem.

"Everybody knows, everybody knows, who knows what everybody knows? What is something that everybody knows? Is it something you've heard more than once? Who has made up all the things that everybody knows? Where did they come from, all these things that everybody knows? Who has been hanged for what everybody knows? Who has thrown stones for what everybody knows? And where does it all break down, when all everybody knows is what everybody says?"

On naming a baby Tiffany:

"There were the days when a potion really worked, or because of you a man could use his hand again, or a woman could walk again. Sometimes, when she had delivered a baby the delighted mother would ask her, if the baby was a girl, whether she could be named after Tiffany. She always said yes, but when the time came, it never happened. The child got a different name, one that ran in the family, perhaps, or one the mother really liked. Or maybe someone had wondered whether it was a good thing to name a baby after a witch. You didn't mind, or at least you didn't mind where anyone could see."

On Granny Weatherwax:

"She wondered if Granny Weatherwax ever truly slept. She knew that the old woman lay down on a bed quite often, with a square of cardboard affixed to a string around her neck, and it read 'I Ate'nt Dead'. In fact it meant that granny was letting her mind ride unnoticed in the mind of a bird or of an animal, to keep an eye on what was happening in the world, and on the other hand perhaps it was there to reassure her if she woke up."

http://summerofpenguin.com/2015-08-03/terry-pratchetts-discworld

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07) ANOTHER RADIO TREAT

One from the vaults: a 15-minute reading from Good Omens, by Jon Strickland at the 2012 Cheltenham Literary Festival.

It's the wonderful scene (pages 74-79 in the Gollancz hardcover) in which Carmine 'Red' Zuigiber, aka War, gets her special delivery that signals the Apocalypse is nigh.

Auntie Beeb says: 'The towering double act's funny yet sinister sci-fi story.'

This programme will be available to listeners all over the world for the next 28 days. It really is quite good! To listen, go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01n7jpv

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08) DISCWORLD PLAYS UPDATES

8.1 REMINDER: ERIC AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE (AUGUST)

The Duck in a Hat theatre company will premiere their adaptation of Eric, adapted by Tim Foster, at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

"All amateur demonologist Eric wants is the usual three wishes: to live forever, to rule the world and to have the most beautiful woman fall madly in love with him. Instead he gets Rincewind, Discworld's most incompetent wizard, and Rincewind's Luggage, Discworld's most dangerous travel accessory. This brand new adaptation of Terry Pratchett's hilarious parody of the Faust legend is an outrageous romp through time, space and Hell that will leave Eric wishing once more – this time, quite fervently – that he'd never been born."

When: 8th-22nd August (all dates excluding the 16th)
Venue: The Studio, Paradise in Augustines, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (phone 0131 510 0022)
Time: 7:15pm all shows
Tickets: £9.00 (concession £7.00, family £28.00)

http://duckinahat.weebly.com/eric.html
https://www.facebook.com/DuckInaHat
https://www.paradise-green.co.uk/show-details/brochure/details/1323/

8.2 REMINDER: WYRD SISTERS IN EXETER (AUGUST)

The Broadclyst Theatre Group will present their production of Wyrd Sisters in August.

When: 13th, 14th and 15th August 2015
Venue: Broadclyst Victory Hall, The Green, Exeter, Devon EX5 3DX (phone 01392 467161)
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £9 (£6.50 for under-14s), available from Broadclyst Post Office or online via ticketsource.co.uk/broadclyst

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09) CLOSE

And that's the lot for the moment. See you later this month!

– Annie Mac

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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner (at) pearwood (dot) info

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Copyright (c) 2015 by Klatchian Foreign Legion

WOSSNAME
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
SPECIAL EARLY EDITION: PLAYS AND THINGS
February 2014 (Volume 17, Issue 2, post 1)
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INDEX:

01) QUOTE OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) RAISING STEAM: USA RELEASE AT LAST!
04) EARLY DISCWORLD NOVELS HARDCOVER RELEASES CONTINUE
05) THE FUN OF THE (BOOK) FAIR...
06) ...AND PLAYING DRESS-UPS FOR THE STORYTELLING MUSEUM
07) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
08) NEW INTERVIEW IN LOCUS MAGAZINE
09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
10) CLOSE

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01) QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"When I was in my late teens, my mate Dave put on Steeleye Span at 11. It was ringing in my ears and that was it – I went to see them whenever I could. Just hearing them has helped me."

– folk-rock fan TDJ Pratchett

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02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR

So here we are in February, nearly half-way through, and I have to report with some embarrassment and frustration that my health issues continue to slow my WOSSNAME projects to snail's pace. Sorry about that... but there is some news and quite a number of stage productions to tell you about, so this will be the first of two posts for this month.

Prog Rock Magazine have made a short documentary about the making of Steeleye Span's Wintersmith album, featuring Sir Pterry, Maddy Prior and other members of the band. The video is the second feature window, barely a third of the way down the page: http://tinyurl.com/lts84ms

There is also a 14-minute YouTube promo for the album, featuring clips from the songs and well worth listening to!

http://tinyurl.com/m8b7lx7

Also of interest: on the French science fiction site "L'etrange Librarium", an interview with musician-turned-translator Patrick Couton who has been translating the Discworld series since 1993. Those of you wishing to practice your "langue de Quirm" might enjoy having a go; the rest of you can head to the translation engine of your choice. My own Quirmish being a bit rusty but serviceable, I can tell you that this interview tempts me to get hold of some of M Couton's Discworld translations; he says the rendering of the text is left up to him – and as a onetime English-to-French lyrics translator, your Eidtor appreciates what a fine and taxing art that is – and besides, "Monde merveilleux du caca" is an even better title than "The World of Poo", n'est-ce pas?

http://tinyurl.com/kwheejo

And now, it's on we go!

– Annie Mac, Editor

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03) RAISING STEAM IN THE USA

At last, the wait is over! And the cover's not bad either. Raising Steam will be released across the water on the 18th of March. For all you faithful Pratchett readers who had to wait, trust me, the wait was worth it...

To pre-order your copy via links from USA publishers Doubleday:

http://smarturl.it/RaisingSteamFB

For the record, on Amazon the pre-order prices are $17.04 for the hardcover edition, $15.31 for the Kindle edition, and $23.63 for the Audiobook CD; as usual, Amazon guarantees that if a lower price becomes available by the shipping date, pre-orders will be accordingly reduced in charge.

The Amazon page:

http://tinyurl.com/phq65ja

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04) REMINDER: EARLY DISCWORLD NOVELS HARDCOVER RELEASES CONTINUE!

As you'll recall from our featured item in last October's main issue, "The Discworld Collector's Library" is being released in "thematic" sets, with hard covers illustrated by Joe McLaren, at a very reasonable price of £9.99 each. The Death Collection, consisting of Reaper Man, Mort, Hogfather and Soul Music, have already been released, as has the Cultures of Discworld Collection (Small Gods and Pyramids). This month of February sees the release of two titles from the Unseen University Collection, Eric and Sourcery, while March is scheduled for the release of the first titles in the City Watch Collection, Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms. Unfortunately, as publishers Gollancz have pointed out, they only own the release rights to these lovely books in the UK and Commonwealth countries with the exception of Canada, so North American readers wishing to purchase any of the collections will have to do so via UK or non-Canadian Commonwealth booksellers.

And here's a great place to buy them – the Discworld Emporium, on the Street of Cunning Artificer (note lack of plural):

"Developed by Gollancz in consultation with Sir Terry Pratchett, the Discworld Collector's Library is an affordable new set of hardback editions of Discworld novels, from The Colour of Magic to Jingo. These books look stunning on the bookshelf, with gorgeous artwork and a fine print quality that make these books a collection to treasure. The Books will be published in a series of themed sets beginning with the 'Death' collection, and will be added to our site as and when they become available."

http://www.discworldemporium.com/books/Discworld%20Collector%27s%20Library

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05) AUTHOR OF THE DAY IS...

Sir Terry Pratchett, of course! This particular day being 8th April 2014, the opening day of the 2014 London Book Fair:

"The author's work will be the focus on a programme of events on Tuesday 8th April to celebrate 'the writer's place at the heart of the international publishing industry'... LBF director Jacks Thomas said: 'Terry's presence at The London Book Fair 2014 is a complete treat; a national icon and international inspiration, Terry has created a literary fan base of millions around the world; his contribution to the book industry is tremendous and his influence continues to stimulate new generations of readers in numerous markets and languages. We are looking forward very much to welcoming him to Earls Court in April.' Larry Finlay, m.d. of Transworld, said: 'All of us at Transworld and Random House Children's Publishers are so proud to publish Sir Terry Pratchett. I cannot think of another writer who has done more to entertain and inspire readers across the last three decades.'..."

www.thebookseller.com/news/pratchett-be-lbf-author-day.html

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06) DRESS-UPS FOR STORY TIME!

In which Sir Pterry becomes Just William, for a wee while:

"Oxford's Story Museum will open this spring with a photographic exhibition featuring famous authors dressed as the characters they loved most as children. The 26 Characters exhibition will feature children's laureate Malorie Blackman as the Wicked Witch of the West in Frank L Baum's The Wizard of Oz, Terry Jones as the comic strip character Rupert Bear, Terry Pratchett as Just William from the Richmal Crompton series, and Neil Gaiman as Badger from Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, in a series of photographs taken by Cambridge Jones... The museum is planning a full programme of events and activities, with a talking throne and a dressing-up area. The exhibition is supported by the Arts Council and will run from April to November..."

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/authors-dress-story-museum.html

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07) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS

7.1 GOING POSTAL IN GEORGETOWN, ONTARIO

Georgetown Little Theatre are currently presenting their production of Going Postal, with four shows remaining.

When: 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th February 2014
Venue: John Elliott Theatre, 9 Church St., Georgetown, Ontario (right beside the Library)
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: price is not displayed anywhere unless one ent4rs the credit card gate; for info and price(s), ring box office 905-877-3700 (Tuesday through Thursday from 2pm to 6pm, Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 5pm, with extended hours on show nights) or purchase online at https://secure1.tixhub.com/haltonhills/procurement/

www.haltonhills.ca/theatre

7.2 ...AND IN BASILDON

The Thalian Theatre Company,whose vast array of previous Pratchett productions includes Wyrd Sisters, Men at Arms, Maskerade, Mort, Guards! Guards! and Carpe Jugulum, are adding a new play to the list when they present Going Postal in March.

When: 27th to 29th March 2014
Venue: Mirren Studio, Towngate Theatre, St. Martin's Square, Basildon, Essex SS14 1DL
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £10 adult, £8.50 concessions, available from the theatre box office on 01268 465465, or you can book tickets online by going to http://tinyurl.com/kfubr4y

http://www.towngatetheatre.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4771

7.3 MAKING MONEY IN SALISBURY

Studio Theatre of Salisbury, whose production of Going Postal last year was greatly enjoyed and praised by Sir Pterry himself, will present another Discworld spectacular – Making Money, this time – in March. Chris Hawley of the theatre group says, "Like last time, we expect this show to sell out so to avoid disappointment best to book early.This is what Sir Terry said about Going Postal ...' This was so well done that I wish I had written a better book! I loved the voices, because it has to be about the voices. It was done so people could see it and have a lot of fun. If they (Studio Theatre) wanted to do some more Discworld, I would be here in the front row.'"

When: 20th February-1st March 2014 (no performances on Sunday 23rd or Monday 24th)
Venue: Studio Theatre, Ashley Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 7TN
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: from Salisbury Information Centre, phone 01722 342860

http://www.studiotheatre.org.uk/

7.4 REMINDER: WITCHES ABROAD IN PORTSMOUTH

Collingwood RSC Theatre Group, already veteran Pratchett play presenters, will offer their production – a world premiere, no less – of Witches Abroad in March.

When: Wednesday 26th through Saturday 29th March 2014
Venue: HMS Collingwood, Newgate Lane, Fareham, Portsmouth, PO14 1AS
Tickets: £6, available via the box office (07502 037922)

To see their whimsical Kidby-pastiche poster, go to http://tinyurl.com/l9hlaka

https://www.facebook.com/hmscollingwoodrsc

7.5 WYRD SISTERS IN ACCRINGTON, CHESHIRE

Oswaldtwistle Players will present their production of Wyrd Sisters, adapted by Stephen Briggs and directed by Martina Burns, in late April and early May.

When: 30th April - 3rd May 2014
Venue: Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 157 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington BB5 3HZ
Time: 19:30
Tickets: £8.50 (concessions £7.50); all tickets £7 on 30th April

http://i72139.wix.com/oswaldtwistleplayers

7.6 WYRD SISTERS IN NEWPORT, ESSEX

The Newport Free Grammar School, a fine old institution whose former pupils include the fine actor James Frain and a rather well-known cook fellow called Jamie Oliver, will be presenting their production of Wyrd Sisters in March.

When: Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th March 2014
Venue: Newport Free Grammar School, Nedwport, Essex CB11 3TR
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: £8, concessions £6
Booking is through the Finance office on 01799540237

For more information, and a good-looking poster (reproduced with permission, no less), go to:

http://tinyurl.com/nela4oc

7.7 MEN AT ARMS IN KEW

The Q2 Players, "Kew's Leading Amateur Theatre Group", will present their production of Men at Arms in April.

When: Thursday 3rd – Saturday 5th April 2014
Venue: Kew Community Centre, St. Luke's in The Avenue, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2AL
Time: Thurs-Sat shows at 8pm; Sat Matinee 2.30pm
Tickets: £8 (concessions £6) Box office TBA; email q2players@gmail.com

http://www.q2players.org.uk/Q2_Players/Upcoming_Show.html

7.8 NATION IN TEMPE, ARIZONA

The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts will present a production of Mark Ravenhill's NT stage adaptation of Nation in April, directed by Megan Weaver.

When: 4th–13th April 2014
Venue: Galvin Playhouse, 51 E. 10th St, Tempe, AZ 85287 (at Mill Avenue & 10th Street, University of Arizona Tempe campus)
Time: 4th, 5th, 10th and 12th at 7.30pm; 6th and 13th at 2pm
Tickets: $8-$16; to buy online, go to http://tinyurl.com/lhb2oyw
Herberger Institute students are offered free admission on tickets reserved in advance.

7.9 MONSTROUS REGIMENT IN CHICAGO

Chicago has already experienced Discworld on stage a few months ago, and now the Windy (and currently bloody freezing) City gets another taste: Lifeline Theatre will present their production of Monstrous Regiment, as adapted by Chris Hainsworth and directed by Kevin Theis, on various dates in May, June and July, a veritable season!

When: 30th May – 20th July 2014
Venue: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL, 60626
Time: evenings at 7.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays and at 8pm on Saturdays; matinees at 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Tickets: $20 for previews (30th May-8th June), $40 for Regular Run: June 12-July 20 (Thu & Fri at 7:30pm, Sat at 4pm & 8pm, Sun at 4pm). To book online in advance, go to http://tinyurl.com/kzehtaw and click on the desired dates at the bottom of the page (or scroll through from there to the June or July calendars for tickets on those dates)

http://www.lifelinetheatre.com/performances/13-14/mr/index.shtml

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08) NEW INTERVIEW IN LOCUS MAGAZINE

Here be a few quotes from the Pratchett interview in this month's Locus Magazine:

"I just love steam engines. Even here in Britain, if a steam train goes through the countryside, it never spoils the countryside! Oh, there's all the stuff it's chuffing out, but we nod that off. The old fashioned railways, the steam engines, they lived and they breathed...

"I want to live in a world where I go into the office and I say, 'Put up the piece I was doing yesterday and get me Dave on the phone.' And the computer would say, 'Yes, Terry, I'm giving you the last thing you wrote yesterday and I believe you mean Dave Busby because he's the Dave you most often speak to.' Regrettably the technology hasn't got me there yet, but at least when I walk through the office door the computer starts up and Word is already there on the screen, waiting for me to start talking. It's not difficult to do. We are monkeys, so talking to other monkeys comes naturally. Some people say there's no charm in dictation. To hell with that, it's down there on the page...

"I want to do another Tiffany Aching novel, too. Have you heard of Steeleye Span? They're an English folk group, and they're putting quite a lot of Tiffany Aching in an album inspired by Wintersmith. When you see her again she'll be a bit older than she was in the last novel, of course, because I can do that sort of thing, but I think she's going to have different problems from now on. I write these days in what I call 'carpet squares.' I do a bit, noodle around, see what it looks like. I've got carpet squares all over the place! I know there's a story in there somewhere. I've got most of it in my head, but I don't know what the ending is, although I think she's going to tell me what it is when I'm good and ready...

"We haven't talked about my Alzheimer's. It doesn't bother me at all. I mean, I have it. But a lot of better writers than me, born around the time I was born, are now lost..."

To read more extracts, go to http://tinyurl.com/ocdh55w

The full interview is available in the February 2014 issue of Locus.

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09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH

The USA cover of Raising Steam:

http://tinyurl.com/mtn2jgt


Somewhere in deepest Queensland, Australia, there's a civic planner who loves Discworld:

http://tinyurl.com/mr3w6b7


A very nice group of people playing a round of Treefrog's "The Witches" Discworld board game and loving it. There may just be a WOSSNAME Newshound in there:

http://tinyurl.com/n4zyffw

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10) CLOSE

And that's it for the moment. But we'll be back before the end of the month with more news, reviews, reports and whatnot. Enjoy your Valentines and don't forget to cook those pancakes!

– Annie Mac

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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: interact (at) pearwood (dot) info
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Copyright (c) 2014 by Klatchian Foreign Legion