Mort: The Play

Discworld Stage Adaptations

by Stephen Briggs (Adapter), Terry Pratchett

Adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs, this tells the story of Mort, who has been chosen as Death's apprentice. He gets board and lodging and free use of company horse, and doesn't even need time off for his grandmother's funeral. The trouble begins when instead of collecting the soul of a princess, he kills her would-be assassin, and changes history.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Plays, Comedy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction

167 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

Stephen Briggs is a British writer of subsidiary works and merchandise surrounding Terry Pratchett's comic fantasy Discworld. He is also a narrator of many Discworld audiobooks
who graduated from Curtin University with a double major in Theatre Arts and Creative Writing before attending WAPPA and studying Broadcasting. Midway through his time there he decided he didn't want to be a journo and moved to Sydney to join RMK Voice Productions. Stephen has voiced countless campaigns and appeared in numerous professional plays. He has written and directed six short films, one of which, Whatever it Takes, satirises the Voice Over business.

Please note that there is a separate Stephen^^Briggs whose area of expertise is psychotherapy.

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 :)

[Helen]

amazing :D the character 'Death' is by far my favourite in the Discworld series

[Ari]

This was the first Discworld novel I read, and I hold a particularly soft spot for it. How many times have I read it? NO idea!

[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...

[Erik]

Mort: The Play is a fun and clever stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s beloved Discworld novel. What really works is how the humor and quirky philosophy of the book come through on stage. Death, in particular, steals the show—both funny and strangely relatable at the same time.

Of course, it’s not perfect. A few scenes feel a bit slow, and some transitions between moments are a little clunky. You can tell that not every part of the novel translates smoothly to theater. Still, the witty dialogue and lively characters more than make up for those bumps.

Overall, it’s a really enjoyable production. If you already love Pratchett, you’ll probably get an extra kick out of it. And if you don’t know his work, this is a charming introduction to his world.

[E]

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.

[Natasha MacKinnon]

Brilliant

This is a simply brilliant adaptation of the acclaimed book of the same name from the Disc World Series. After reading the book I could not see how it could be successfully adapted for the stage. After reading this, now I do. 😀

[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.

[Gasked]

Un poco aburrido pero hacercandose al final se pone muy interesante

[Tighearnan Noonan]

I directed a production of this and found the playbook great to work with.

[Cassie]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Arch]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Ernestine]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Idella]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Adolf]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Angus]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Eliza]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Maxine]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[Marlin]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.

[David Eden]

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

[Alisa]

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.