MacBest

I’ll admit, I approached *MacBest* with the wariness of someone who’s seen one too many ‘literary parody’ trainwrecks. But Pratchett doesn’t just mock *Macbeth*—he *dismantles* it with the glee of a toddler taking apart a clock, then reassembles the pieces into something far funnier and, weirdly, more *human*. The plot—duke murders king, witches meddle, chaos ensues—is classic, but the execution is pure Discworld: the ‘murder’ is so bungled it’s a miracle anyone dies, and the witches’ interference feels less like fate and more like a trio of busybody aunts ‘helping’ by making everything worse. Thalbach’s narration is the secret weapon here. Her Granny Weatherwax is a masterpiece of vocal restraint: every syllable feels like a dagger wrapped in velvet, while her Duke Felmet oozes the kind of sweaty, self-important panic that makes you *root for his downfall*. That said, this isn’t a flawless performance. The first hour drags slightly as Pratchett lays the groundwork (and indulges in a *lot* of theatrical meta-commentary), and Thalbach’s delivery of the Fool’s songs occasionally veers into *too* much operatic warble—it’s funny once, but the third reprise tests patience. Still, the payoff is worth it. The final act’s escalating absurdity—culminating in a ‘battle’ that’s more farce than epic—had me cackling on public transit. The production quality is impeccable, with subtle sound cues (a creaking gallows, distant thunder) that never overpower the text. Is it for everyone? No. If you prefer your fantasy straight-faced or your Shakespeare reverent, look elsewhere. But if you’ve ever wanted to hear *Macbeth* performed by a cast of sarcastic witches and a king who’s *terrible* at being evil, this is your audiobook. Just don’t blame me if you start side-eyeing every theater troupe you meet afterward.