A weaving web of conspiracy, comedy and catchy music
Alex Thomas’s new adaptation for Dumas’ ‘The Three Musketeers’ is in a word: joyful. We’ve had our share in the UK of gritty re-imaginings and block-buster productions. But here we have something with some real soul to it. We’re greeted into the theatre by a tavern scene, the actors playing the hubbub of a 17th-century inn, with patrons and trickles of live music to tantalise the awaiting audience.
The set (which remains throughout) is most certainly an impressive piece! You can see the love and craft that went into it and does well to keep you guessing where the next part of the action will take place or how it will be employed. Along with the costume, it all gave the piece a lovely flare of authenticity to the period.
We are guided through the tale of our eponymous heroes by a storyteller, deploying context and song with excellence throughout. The performers of Magdalen College School (MCS) certainly excel in this department, with some beautiful harmonies and stirring ballads that really pull you into the growing excitement and intrigue. There were some truly beautiful voices to listen to throughout, my only critique of this, was there were some singers that only had a short time to shine. This combined with the live band give these pieces a lovely interlude between scenes, though there were a few times that dialogue was lost to the underscore of the band which may simply have been an issue with mics.
Overall, the team built well into the story, with standout performances from Erin Alexander’s femme fatal ‘Milady de Winter’ and Michael Onobhayedo’s tragic ‘Athos’. But that is not to say the others were lacking. Performances from all were rich with energy and gusto. ‘D’Artagnan’ and the Musketeers gave a wonderful sense of brotherhood and the Cardinal, ‘Comte de Rochefort’ and his men oozed thinly veiled villainy that balanced well between comical and unnerving. The unabashed pratting of King Louis and his ignorance countered well with the growing plots and scheming that surrounds him.
The fights…. Oh, the fights. I could spend an entire review analysing each bind, flourish and cut. Mark Ruddick did well to choreograph so much action in what quickly becomes an extremely tight space when the Cardinal’s men face off with our heroes. The one-on-one fights were a pleasure to watch as the actors could range the space and display some delightful strikes, ripostes and disarms. The group fights were chaotic and brutal in all the good ways, though I could feel them working hard to keep distance in the melee. I also appreciate keeping the fights short and sweet, allowing them to blend with the rest of the elements in the performance and avoid ‘showboating’ the rest of the play.While technically no bucklers were swashed, this was indeed everything the show promised it would be. A excellent combination of song, storytelling, tense fights and a plot that keeps you engaged. It also gives a nice greying to what is often shown as clear heroes and villains. MCS have a right to be proud of this production and left me hoping they would explore more of Dumas’ work, if only so I could watch more rapier work.