Progress Theatre will take audiences on an action-packed roadtrip this week, when they bring Terry Pratchett's Fifth Elephant to the stage.

Working from Stephen Briggs' adaptation of Pratchett's 24th Discworld novel, the play, directed by Chris Moran, follows City Watch Commander Sam Vimes as he undertakes the arduous journey from the buzzing, noisome metropolis of Ankh-Morpork, where the sinister Patrician holds the reins of power, through the mountains and into the badlands of Uberwald, on a diplomatic mission that's rather more sinister that it first appears. Vimes, played by Progress regular John Goodman as a likeable but slightly grumpy seasoned cop, is accompanied by dwarf Cheery Littlebottom (Shi Sur) - who is dealing with some gender-identity issues - troll-of-few-words Detritus (Alex McCubbin), and a creepy civil servant. In the frozen land of Uberwald, they meet sinister creatures - plotting, often violent werewolves (led by the vitriolic Wolfgang, played by Kevin Copping), conservative dwarves and an unsettlingly aristocratic vampire, Lady Margalotta (Louise Sands), all pitted against the others and all striving to seize power. Oh, and then there's the small issue of the dwarves' missing stone scone.

Can Vimes, his good lady wife Sybil (Ali Carroll), and his mismatched diplomatic band make it back to Ankh-Morpork in one piece - and without offending every single member of the large cast they meet along the way? You'll just have to find that out for yourself...

The first half of the play is mostly exposition, helped along by talking dog Gaspode (Justin Harper), as the audience is led through the complex politics of the different species dwelling in Uberwald, where conservative, traditional beliefs still hold sway, while the second half is more action-packed, but still laced with dark humour and asides. It's an escapist play and no mistake, and even those new to the books will be happily swept up in the sprawling world that Pratchett has created over more than 40 books, although it helps to know a little about the goings-on in Discworld, to understand some of the more subtle moments and character quirks. But while being a funny and engaging tale, Fifth Elephant also has a bubbling undercurrent, examining racism and the power of symbols, in particular that of the Scone of Stone, the disappearance of which threatens to change the dwarves' balance of power.

The costumes and props are a delight, from Detritus' Hulk-esque rock-stume, which is a credit to the wardrobe team, to the carefully crafted Lonely Planet Guide to Uberwald that Vimes pores over; the make-up of Igor and the Ankh Morpork Sport Herald with the Pratchett-fan-pleasing headline, Klatch That Camel! While the set is less complex than others the Theatre have constructed for fantasy plays, it's still effective, with smart use of projections, rolling screens and sound effects to create rooms, backdrops and moods.

Fifth Elephant is at Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading, from Wednesday until Saturday, January 26. Tickets cost �10 plus booking fee from www.readingarts.com or call 0118 960 6060. See www.progresstheatre.co.uk