Mort: The Play by Stephen Briggs

Mort: The Play Reviews

• 
  Henna

  I have always been curious about Death DEATH. He speaks in capital letters - or at least he kind of speaks and the words appear in capitals on the page (apparently in reality), and of course he is really fond of cats and kittens (cute eh). What is not to like? Except from him being Death he isn't a bad sort of guy.
  
  One day Death chooses himself an apprentice, who goes by the name of Mort, someone who can be trained up in Deaths duties and then maybe even take over (and more besides). A very interesting plot and its great to be able to read about death and find his personality rather interesting and growing into a proper character. He seems to love food...and cooking.
  
  The story balances out his change or evolution of manner and personality since Pratchet's early books in which he would appear to simply take souls away form the living realm. The book includes a few familiar characters - if you have read a number of Pratchets books, and if not there will of course be introductions made. Well worth the read.
• 
  MG

  Very fun, but it simply reveals how good the comedic timing is in the original. If you want a dramatic presentation, I think the best bet is listening to the audio book, which is very funny and wonderful.
• 
  Abbey

  I mostly read this to see if I was going to be interested in reading the Death series, and all in all a super quick entertaining read that confirmed I will!
• 
  Anjali

  Mort is a fabulous book. It is not quite a classic Terry Pratchett -- more serious in a way, with fewer gags, a more formal fantasy tone, and a more subtle satire -- but it is one of his best. Mort introduces the title character, Mortimer or "Mort," a hapless young space cadet whose own parents write him off as useless and send him to be an apprentice. When he is chosen by Death, though, he delves into a fantastical world of flying horses, takeout curry, and a strange kind of romance with Death's adopted daughter. Fabulous characters, as always: Death, so very fascinated with humans; Ysabell, his daughter, a skeptical, bossy, stubborn young woman braver than anyone; and Mort himself, who grows from a fumbling apprentice to a proper Death-in-training. He makes mistakes, but he works to rectify them and never backs down. A simply breathtaking character, a breathtaking plot, a breathtaking book.
• 
  Sharon

  I've enjoyed most of Pratchett's quirky, satirical, fantasy books but I've enjoyed the ones with Death as one of the main characters the best. They are laugh out loud funny, especially if you listen to audiobook version. The reader is excellent. In fact, I recommend you listen to one on audiobook first. Once you hear it you'll understand my recommendation. Death has a unique voice and the reader "puts it in your head" nicely!
• 
  Jim

  A brilliant book that made me laugh and cry at Morts new life which had benefits and, as he learned, drawbacks. A quality, simple and at the same time intense story about an adopted boy whom death was his tutor.
• 
  amritad

  Although this book was definitely very interesting, I didn't understand who some of the characters where and what was happening at times in the story. One thing is for sure though, I'm really excited for middle school to be doing this play this year :)
• 
  Kristin Maillard

  Recommended by my 24 year old son. I have laughed aloud at everything I've ever read by Pratchett. I like and care about the characters and their hijinx are second to none.
• 
  Darwin Blake

  so good i wrote a poem about it...
• 
  Jasmine Scholz

  I really want to read the rest of disc world and read the actual book of this. Some of the blocks of dialogue are very memorable and lines that could be written in fina caligraphy. There is a charm to this book, and I think that it has become my gateway into Terry Pratchett.
  
  The reasons I have read this play is actually because in August I am performing as Ysabell with a local theatre company. I'm happy I decided to do this play because I am very much enjoying it. My love for the novel currently may be bias by me being a part of a staging. :)
  
• 
  Rosemary Orme

  Lovely to have a new perspective on a well loved tale. The notes, in parenthesis, are particularly informative - DEATH is carrying a bag of chips. [ Note - we made the chips out of yellow foam, and had them in a cone made of a copy of the 'Ankh-Morpork Gazette' a newspaper we'd spoofed up for Death to read in a later scene]
  Useful tips on making actors transform into corpses under Death's supervision, too.
  I recommend this.
• 
  Michelle

  Missed a few great things from the novel but is a great adaptation.
• 
  Mycal Stewart

  My first play and such a fun show to do. 100% recommend.
• 
  David Eden

  Huge cast and seems long but it is very funny and moves quickly. It would be delightful on stage!
• 
  Jovani

  A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.