REVIEW: Monstrous Regiment
Southampton University Players, Nuffield Theatre
STEPHEN Briggs' stage version of Terry Pratchett's novel seems to skim over certain details, understandably, but debut Director Imogen Higgs has a lively cast and presents a reasonable night's entertainment that should satisfy Discworld fans.
Polly Perks (Frankie Payne) binds herself in a male disguise in order to join the Borogravian army as, it transpires , many women have done. And so we meet various endearing characters, including Ellie Rose Fowler as Private Manicle, Gina Hodsman as the 'haunted and damaged' Wazzer Goom and, as the hunchbacked Private Igor, Bridget Wilkinson, heavily disguised but still a discernible character and personality.
Stephen Fenerty makes a commanding and amusing Sergeant Jackrum, Christopher Gardener an endearing Lietuenant Blouse and Paul Cresser also scores as vampire recruit Private Maladict.
The big Nuffield stage seems bare, two tables and back projections supplying settings and rather too many 'fade outs', but costumes and effects are fine.
Ham Quentin
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