Girton Players

Terry Pratchett's

Carpe Jugulum

As with most of Terry Pratchett's books, this is a spoof - in this case of vampire and Frankenstein films; from Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff via Christopher Lee and the Hammer horrors of the '50s and '60s to Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire. There is also more than a touch of the Sleeping Beauties about the plot.

This is a huge production - The characters include DEATH and the Witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Agnes Nitt and Perdita X Nitt, plus vampires, other witches, courtiers and assorted country folk - 34 characters and 32 scenes.

King Verence and Queen Magrat of Lancre have invited many guests to the christening of their baby daughter Esme. Among the guests are the witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Agnes Nitt, as Magrat is a witch and used to be in their coven. They have also invited the De Magpyrs - a vampire family - the Count and Countess, Vlad, Lacrimosa and Igor their servant. The De Magpyrs are the sort of vampires that would have Dracula spinning in his grave - modern, forward-looking and no longer afraid of holy water, garlic, religious symbols or, indeed, anything else. This makes them very dangerous indeed. Their plan is to take over Lancre by putting Verence, Magrat and the population of Lancre under their control. Can the witches save the day?