Pratchett play for Alzheimer's

A researcher at Cardiff University's National Centre for Mental Health has produced a play adapted from a Terry Pratchett novel in a bid to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK.

Pratchett's comedy Carpe Jugulumtells the story of a group of vampires who conspire to take over the country in a blood-filled coup, while the fate of the world rests in the hands of a witch and a hapless priest.

The play is fully funded by sponsorship and fundraisers and is the first independent production of Monstrous Productions, which follows on from a 2012 production of another stage adaptation of a Pratchett novel, Monstrous Regiment – acted and organised by Cardiff University's Drama Society.

The play's director, Amy Davies, who recruits people with dementia for research undertaken at Cardiff University's National Centre for Mental Health, said:

"I've always been a huge fan of Terry Pratchett and, as most people know, he is suffering with a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's disease and is a patron of Alzheimer's Research UK so donating the money to them seemed the obvious thing to do.

"Also, working in research myself I understand the importance of making people aware of the research and the progress we can make.

"Alzheimer's disease affects 820,000 people in the UK and as yet there is no cure. If the money we raise goes any way to understanding this disease any better all the hard work will have been worth it."

Carpe Jugulum opens on Wednesday 26 June at the Gate Arts Centre in Roath, Cardiff. Tickets cost £8 or £6 with concessions, and every penny goes to Alzheimer's Research UK.