THE world premiere of an adaptation of Sir Terry Pratchett’s latest novel, Dodger, is being staged in Abingdon next week.

Bringing the story to the stage only four months after it was published, the production marks the next chapter in a longstanding link between the best-selling author and an amateur drama group in Oxford.

And there to see the production by the Studio Theatre Club on its opening night at the Unicorn Theatre next Tuesday will be the 64-year-old author himself.

The club, based at Bullingdon Community Centre in Peat Moors, off The Slade, has been staging versions of Sir Terry’s novels since 1991 when its production director Stephen Briggs wrote to him asking if the group could stage his novel Wyrd Sisters, the sixth in his well-known series of Discworld titles.

After getting Sir Terry’s go-ahead, the production proved a runaway success. Since then, the club has staged another 16 of Sir Terry’s stories at the Unicorn in versions penned by civil servant Mr Briggs, 61.

Sir Terry said: “I look forward to the performance of Dodger, another first for the Studio Theatre Club.

“Oh, and I also like his performances because he lets me in free!”

Dodger is being performed at the Unicorn, in Checker Walk, for five nights and one matinee until Saturday, January 26.

The Saturday night performance is already sold out, but there are still tickets available for Tuesday- Friday evenings and the Saturday matinee.

Tickets at £8.50 can be booked by emailing tickets@studiotheatreclub.com or by calling 01865 778105.