This adaptation of the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas is a tale of heroism, treachery, close escapes and above all, honor.
Commissioned by the world famous Bristol Old Vic, it tells the story of a brother and sister, d’Artagnan and Sabine, who sets off for Paris in search of adventure. D’Artagnan hopes to join the valiant King’s Musketeers. Sabine, meanwhile, is being sent to a convent school, but decides quickly that it’s not for her. She’d rather fight by her brother’s side.
Cardinal Richelieu has different plans for both of them, but with their new best friends, Athos, Porthos and Aramis by their sides, they save the day for king and country.
Dumas broke all the rules with this one, combining heroism and comedy in equal measure, and the critics agree that this is the best adaptation of the novel ever written.
Recent News and Reviews
Reviews
"[A] slick, swashbuckling romp that cleverly updates the Dumas novel ... Ken Ludwig's new version of the story simply refreshes it, distilling its energy and strengthening its timeless appeal."
- The Guardian
Paul Agar as Porthos. The Bristol Old Vic Production. Photo: Alastair Muir
The Bristol Old Vic Production. Photo: Alastair Muir
Charity Wakefield as Constance. The Bristol Old Vic Production. Photo: Alastair Muir
Cincinnati Playhouse Production. Photo: Sandy Underwood
"Ludwig tells a pacy tale with a suitable seasonal mix of merriment, musketeering, romance and the most gruesome stage death I’ve seen this year."
- The Mail On Sunday
"Four Stars Out Of Four. The Bristol Old Vic has come up with a real winner for its festive production. Ken Ludwig's adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's classic yarn is completely in keeping with the most popular Hollywood versions."
- The Bristol Evening Post
"Four Stars Out Of Four. Bristol Old Vic's spectacular new production certainly lives up to its swashbuckling billing. [It's] a mixture of love, adventure and good old fashioned values ..."
- Bristol Metro
"Breathtakingly authentic. Just the right seasonal mix of low comedy, stirring music, catchphrases ancient and modern and designs that suggest Hollywood in its heyday."
- The Stage (London)
"[A] humorous script, lively characters and plenty of swash-buckling action ... the best Christmas show the Old Vic has produced in several years."
- The BBC
"Ken Ludwig's script is fairly groaning with giggles. In short, about as much fun as you would expect, and then a little more."
- Venue Magazine
"Two hours of pure awesomeness."
- The California Aggie
Original Cast and Creative Team
THE THREE MUSKETEERS had its world premiere on December 6, 2006 at the Bristol Old Vic, Artistic Director, Simon Reade, with the following cast:
PORTHOS - Paul Agar; KING LOUIS - Julien Ball; ROCHEFORT - Paul Benzing; ARAMIS - Vyelle Croom; QUEEN ANNE - Fiona Dunn; ATHOS - Gerald Kyd; D'ARTAGNAN - George Rainsford; SABINE - Samantha Robinson; MILADY - Laura Rogers; CARDINAL RICHELIEU - Robin Sebastian; CONSTANCE - Charity Wakefield; TREVILLE - Marcello Walton
Directed by Tim Sheader; Designed by Laura Hopkins; Lighting by Bruno Poet; Music by Corin Buckeridge; Sound Design by Jason Barnes; Fight direction by Richard Ryan; Choreography by Frances Newman; Stage Manged by Claire Yapp; Deputy Stage Managed by Linda Muirhead