Maskerade: The Play by Stephen Briggs

Maskerade: The Play Reviews

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  E.j. Kay

  A hilarious and beautifully observed book, as TP's books always are. My favourites are those that feature Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax, so this one is a real treat!
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  [ J o ]

  [ to review at a later date - perhaps even re-read and review at a later date as well, though not urgent ]
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  Gareth

  I wish I'd enjoyed this more but Maskerade is a case of too much plot and not enough jokes. I was reading it with a view to proposing it to my theatre. I'd hoped that the Phantom of the Opera pastiche would make it a good entry point for non-fantasy audiences. But the jokes about opera feel rather dated, most of the characters aside from the witches are pretty one-dimensional and the play requires alot of locations and thus alot of indulgence from the audience. It would work with "the home crowd" of Discworld fans but the more general audience would not find much to laugh at.
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  Bonnie Dale Keck

  40 of so books, different collections, some audio, it's pratchett, read and heard some as well, all. Dates wrong.
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  Jrobertus

  In this episode on the Disc world, Pratchett gives an affectionate skewering to the world of opera. Local witch Nanny Ogg has written a book revealing some passionate recipes and Granny Weatherwax sees she has been ripped off by the Ankh-Morpork publisher. They go there to straighten matters out and encounter a local witch candidate who is ghosting for a budding diva at the opera house. There is a ghost in the opera house and foul play that needs sorting out and our heroines are up to the task with theri insight and persistence. As usual, the dialog is fast and funny, and the insights into human nature and institutions profound. All these books are fun. I listened to this one as an audio book, and the reader was terrific.
• 
  Megan

  I've long thought Terry Pratchett to be one of the best over-all authors I've ever encountered. He's beyond hilarious, and hits on so many of the things that make a book worth reading. There's the story, and then underneath it, The Story. He manages to turn everything you thought you knew about stories on its head, but instead of being lost, you are thoroughly entertained. His take on The Phantom of the Opera is brilliant, highlighting everything that is ridiculous and marvelous in both the original book by Gaston Leroux and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. I would recommend this to anyone with a taste for British humour... here it is, at its best!
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  Brendan

  Re-read Maskerade a few weeks before reading this adaptation. I felt it was fairly good. It gets the plot across without having to get into Pratchett's explanations and quippery. I know that isn't a word, but I'm going to keep it in anyway. Good lines, interesting stage directions. I hope to see it on stage. My big wonder is if the humor I read in the lines would translate well to the stage when spoken.
• 
  Will

  This is one of my favorite Terry's books. It made me laugh, it made me smile, it made me think and even pity some of the characters. And it do all this things to me so freely that i was charmed. I think that's Terry's magic - he can took you right in the action and you'll believe it's real.
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  Charmaine Clancy

  The Discworld books just get better and better! Who'd have thought a novel focusing on two old broads would be so darn funny! This one delves into the world of opera and dabbles in publishing, Nanny Ogg has released a naughty cookbook - The Joy of Snacks - look out for the banana surprise!
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  Kieran

  Opera will never be the same again
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  Sarah

  A comical spin on the classic story Phantom of the Opera! If you like that story at all, you should read this.
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  Jools

  I felt the teen witches took the edge off the story a little, but still a rollicking good read
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  Danninomics

  Because its such a dark tale this is my least favorite Discworld book
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  Charlotte Babb

  The phantom never encountered such a singer as the one who can sing duets with herself. This is lots of fun with Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg at the opera.
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  Riikka Jaakkola

  My first Pratchett book ever! It took ages for me to finish, got better towards the end. Description of the theatre doorman was hilarious!
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  A.D. Starrling

  Ah, Agnes Perdita X Nitt. What a name. What a book. Okay, so it's a parody of Phantom of the Opera, but with Granny Weatherwax in it. As a courtesan no less. Look out for Nanny Ogg in a tutu!
• 
  Kamilla

  Another favourite.
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  Josey

  My fav witches book
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  Stella Riley

  I saw this performed at the Edinburgh Fringe two or three years ago and it was perfectly dreadful. The script wasn't up to Pratchett's standards - and the performance was dreadful.
• 
  Zoe

  First class!
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  Jenny Burridge

  Excellent.
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  Marcia

  I adore all of Terry Pratchett's books for adults/teens- fun, snarky satire!