|
|
|
|
|
All for one and one for all . . . even D’Artagnan The Three Musketeers Worcester Rep Worcester Theatres **** Paul Milton’s ingenious adaptation of the famous tale by Alexandre Dumas provides a colourful and entertaining evening in the Worcester Commandery gardens. The setting is delightful on a summer’s evening, the weather was pleasant, and the performance lively and often hilarious. The basic thread in the narrative is D’Artagnan’s ambition to become a member of the swashbuckling Musketeers, whose lives of adventure, risk-taking and carnal indulgence have the glitter and excitement of fun and danger. The challenge for Paul Milton was to simplify a very complicated and involved plot and to provide a script that could be enacted by only 5 actors! The result works remarkably well. The famous three played by Charlie Ryan (Porthos), Rob Holman (Athos) and Nathan Blyth (Aramis) work together very well, clearly enjoying the sword-fights, the banter and physical comedy. They each play multiple roles with quick switches of costume and character.
Alexandra Whitworth, as Lady de Winter, or, in spare moments, Queen Anne Rob Holman impressed also as the sinister Cardinal Richelieu with his bright costume , mobile eyebrows and hand gestures. Nathan Blyth offers a weaselly manner at times, as the Duke of Buckingham; Charlie Ryan plays some of the older characters, such as the King of France and the ultimately corruptible Felton. Hollie Christian-Brookes combines the young and fresh-faced D’Artagnan and his beloved Constance with a delightful and engaging innocence and youthfulness, in contrast with the slightly more mature seductress Lady de Winter, or Milady, played excellently by Alexandra Whitworth, who is also Queen Anne. The style of the production has strong elements of pantomime with audience participation and heightened, stylised voices. There is plenty of humour in the French expressions and elements, and even in the moments of historical explanation thrown in as asides! The pace was good. The relaxed garden picnic atmosphere and light-hearted and frivolous entertainment make for a very pleasant evening. May the weather remain dry and warm for the rest of the run to Sunday 21st July. Tim Crow 12-07-24 |
|
|
Index page Worcester Rep Reviews A-Z Reviews by Theatre Tweet |
|
|
|
