Stage Review The Three Musketeers

The cast of four: The Three Musketeers 
Theatre Company Le Navet Bete

The whole narrative of the nineteenth century novel The Three Musketeers, by french author Alexandre Dumas, is pretty epic, and while we may not be able to answer questions which tests our knowledge so keenly, as, perhaps, we could other great classics, something in relation to this work will have undoubtely entered the subconscious, even if it's knowing the motto from the book 'all for one and one for all!'

Le Navet Bete’s take on the story of d’Artagnan and his wacky heroics as he travels to Paris to become a musketeer, is a whizzing through of the whole story, comically, and we thank them for it.

A talented, ensemble cast of just four performers: Dan Bianchi, Nick Bunt, Al Dunn and Matt Freeman.

Every so often theatreland gets a completely different retelling of a familiar narrative,  through physical theatre, farcical comedy; slapstick, or whichever. Reviewer has critiqued some joyously funny and imaginative shows of this ilk, and others which have not quite managed to keep up the comedy momentum for the duration. This falls somewhere in the middle, and where the work is extremely well observed, with some really skillful physical antics and amusing moments, this is predominantly pantomime in reviewer's opinion. Highlights are: 

1. the choreographed sword fight, where a quick switch of tabards the musketeers become their opponents at the same time [giggling now at the thought of it]; this scene is so cleverly executed, and, 2. There is much fun attached to the cardinal (who will never gets his angel wings). His lines are deliciously devilish!

This theatre company’s version of The Three Musketeers has only been in existence since 2019. Even so, it must be wonderful for the company to finally see their touring production getting ‘wind in its sails’ and having their ‘buckles swashed’ at last. Stage performances are happening across UK theatres throughout 2022. Writer and director is John Nicholson. The choreographer: Lea Anderson MBE. The set designer, Ti Green.

**ENDS**

Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended press night of The Three Musketeers at Derby Theatre, on 24 February 2022 at 7.30pm