The Masked Dancer (“Turntables of the Night")

Pratchat - a Terry Pratchett and Discworld book club

Unlike some DJs, Liz and Ben do take requests – like this month’s short story! They’re joined by comedian and DJ Andrew McClelland to spin discs with the soul collector, as they discuss Terry Pratchett’s 1989 short story “Turntables of the Night”.

John, one half of the “Hellfire Disco” mobile DJ business, is helping the police with their enquiries. His latest gig, a fairly sedate Halloween party, did not go smoothly – and it all revolves around a mysterious visitor to the dancefloor, who had an unusual request for DJ Wayne…

Written for Diana Wynne Jones’ 1989 collection of original fiction Hidden Turnings, “Turntables of the Night” came to Pratchett title first. It’s a spooky tale of obsession, records, music and death – or rather Death, appearing outside the Discworld for perhaps the first time in Pratchett’s writing.

Is this fantasy or horror? Did Pratchett really know who Ian Curtis was? Who did he call up to get insight into the DJ trade? What would Death ask you to curate for him? Who would be the crown jewel in his collection now? And which of Pratchett’s other short stories do you want us to devote an entire episode to? Join in the conversation using the hashtag #Pratchat72 on social media.

Guest Andrew McClelland (he/him) is a writer, comedian and DJ who has often mixed in his other loves, like history, music, DJing and Gilbert & Sullivan, to create the “niche” nerdy and gentlemanly comedy for which he’s known. Andy has also frequently collaborated with #Pratchat38 guest Lawrence Leung. As a DJ, Andy works constantly in Melbourne and did indeed open for Cher during her 2018 Australia and New Zealand tour. His club night Andrew McClelland’s Finishing School doesn’t run as regularly as it used to, but as of this episode it has a 15th anniversary night on 10 November, and an annual 90s night on 24 November. Find Andy on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (if you must) or at his website djandrewmcclelland.com. Finishing School is on Facebook.

As usual, you can find notes and errata for this episode on our website.

Next episode we get into the Hogswatch spirit by opening an entire book of season stories, as we discuss the 2017 collection of Pratchett’s children’s fiction, Father Christmas’s Fake Beard. You can send us questions about any of the stories (which we’ll list on our website for reference), or about the book in general, using the hashtag #Pratchat72 on social media. Or send them in via email to [e-mail].

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