By Aven Hall, Second Year, English
For decades, Terry Pratchett has captivated the imaginations of millions, earning him not only a knighthood but also the title of the most shoplifted author in Britain (a fun fact I learned during Marc Burrows’ show). So, it’s no surprise that when Burrows performed The Magic of Terry Pratchett at the Redgrave Theatre on 19th September, the venue was nearly filled to capacity.
The demographic was mainly older people who grew up alongside the Discworld books, so you could spot the occasional wizard hat bobbing in the mix. However, a few people were new to the whimsical world of Terry Pratchett. The show itself was described as a stand-up comedy routine and lecture rolled into one. It was based on Marc Burrows’ book The Magic of Terry Pratchett, which, in 2021, won the Locus Award for Best Nonfiction Work. Burrows expertly balanced his extensive research into Pratchett’s life with well-timed jokes and references, delivering a performance divided into a stand-up routine and an engaging Q&A.
The stand-up routine portion relied on various props, a PowerPoint, but most importantly, Burrows’ captivating stage presence, which set the tone. Throughout, Burrows kept Terry Pratchett’s memory in mind, symbolized by the place set for him on stage—complete with an hourglass, bottle of brandy, and Pratchett’s iconic hat. However, this tribute did not overshadow the humour but paid a quiet homage to his memory.
What really shone in the performance was how well Burrows tailored the humour to the audience. On top of many in-jokes from the Discworld series, sci-fi/fantasy references from Lord of the Rings and Red Dwarf were well-received, and one part even had the audience chiming in with a Life of Brian quote. The show felt interactive, with great audience participation that made everyone feel part of an inside joke.
Burrows demonstrated an uncanny understanding of the Pratchett reading experience. He accurately predicted which books people had started with, teasing the fact that no one had read The Shepherd’s Crown — preferring to savour it as the “one last book on the shelf” (it was at that point I looked down guiltily). Yet, it was astute observations like that which popularized the Discworld books, and his teasing captured Pratchett’s spirit well.
He also managed to capture Pratchett’s humorous narration style. In the stand-up portion, he had a separate narration running alongside him on a PowerPoint, adding an extra layer to his jokes. It worked well when he was telling the audience not to worry about which book to start with, while the name Mort, the fourth book in the Discworld series, was getting larger by the second.
At the heart of the show was the message that stories shape people. Burrows was deeply self-aware that his performance was itself a story — one that moved the audience, especially when it touched on Pratchett’s death, moving some audience members to tears, which was unexpected from a comedy show. It demonstrated that Burrows had really grasped Terry Pratchett’s ability to side together jokes and puns with a beautifully insightful message about life.
The Q&A session in the second half showcased Burrows' in-depth knowledge, with detailed answers that could have gone on much longer had time permitted. His passion for the subject was evident in every response.
If there was one drawback, it was that Burrows overemphasized his message about the importance of stories. Though an insightful message, it was repeated at the end of each section, which diminished its poignancy and gave it a moralistic tone. While it was heartfelt, the tone felt a little out of place in a primarily comedic show, and it flattened some of the jokes. It would have been more effective if it had been noted once at the start and returned to at the end of the show.
In parts, Burrows spent a bit too much time justifying his reasons for writing the book and show. While it showed his sensitivity to Pratchett’s memory, it wasn’t fully necessary and felt like time that could have been better spent diving further into Pratchett’s life and work.
Overall, The Magic of Terry Pratchett is a delightful tribute to one of Britain’s most beloved authors. It’s an experience best enjoyed by those familiar with the books, though it offers something for those new to his work. It brought together a community of like-minded fans, and even if you’re unfamiliar with Pratchett’s books, the warmth and inclusivity of the performance are evident. At the end of the show, Burrows presented a copy of Mort to an audience member who was new to the series. He also left her with a request: after reading it, she should leave it somewhere for someone else to discover and enjoy.
Highly recommended—this is a show that keeps the magic of Pratchett’s stories alive.
Featured photo courtesy of Kim Burrows and I Was There Photography
