In my home, the first thing you encounter is two tall Billy bookcases from IKEA. The top shelves of these are entirely dedicated to the 41 Discworld novels of Sir Terence David John Pratchett OBE, known to the world as author Terry Pratchett and to his fans simply as ‘Terry’, so I think I can speak with some authority when I review a show that’s billed as being about his life and work.
Made me want to revisit my book collection yet again
Pratchett biographer, Marc Burrows is certainly a bigger fan than I. He’s been endorsed by the Pratchett estate to take his obsession with the author on the road and presents this hour-long love letter like a Discworld TED Talk. Burrows takes us from Pratchett’s childhood as a failed product of a two-tier education system to his career as a journalist and then Press Officer for the Electricity Board before becoming the UK’s top-selling living author (and most shoplifted, as Terry liked to brag), finally touching on his struggle with early-onset Alzheimer’s and subsequent advocacy for assisted dying.
Burrows is likeable in his unapologetic evangelism for Pratchett and his work. The Magic of Terry Pratchett is very much a show for fans of the author but there’s gags and funny footnotes in there for the non-Pratcheteers too. A PowerPoint-style presentation assists with the storytelling and there’s some well-written punchlines and call-backs that Terry would have met with a wry chuckle.
Like all life stories, there’s laughter, tears, tragedy, and triumph. Burrows banters with the audience and ensures that we never dwell too much on the sad points because the silly moments often make for a better story. He’s created a delightful show, and it’s made me want to revisit my book collection yet again.
