We wanted to stage a play involving the Ankh-Morpork Night Watch. But we'd already staged all of Stephen Briggs' dramatizations featuring this noble group of guardians of justice.

Stephen got special permission to put together an affectionate mash-up incorporating bits of Guards! Guards! and Feet of Clay, woven respectfully into the core plot of Men at Arms. All Terry.

The city is protected by the multiverse's most diverse police force. But a new threat is emerging - the Discworld's first and only firearm. The Gonne.

The online box office will open at 09:00 on 1 September.

If you want to join the STC, and read for this show, the casting reading will be at Blackbird Leys Community Centre on 27 July at 19:30.

Access

Please do note the access limitations of the Unicorn Theatre here; it is a Grade 1 listed medieval building and does pose some challenges.

Stephen Briggs, on adapting Terry for the stage:

When I first adapted Terry for the stage (back in 1990), it was because I liked, enjoyed and admired his inventive and witty writing. 

I knew, of course, that cuts would have to be made to fit an 80,000 word novel into a two hour play. My challenge was to ensure that my stage versions would still accurately reflect his characters, humour and plots. I aimed to retain, and portray, the spirit of each book.

Terry came to see all twenty of my shows, and liked what I did with them (to be fair, some more than others!).

I've written three more Pratchett shows since Terry passed - but I always have him sitting at my shoulder as I write, and I always picture him in the audience each night. I still write what I think he'd approve and enjoy.

Murder in Ankh-Morpork takes more liberties than a straight book-to-play adaptation, but I am still true to Terry's words, wit and characters. I think he'll enjoy it, and I hope his fans will, too.

I'm very grateful to Rob Wilkins and the Pratchett Estate for approving this project and title.