The Three Musketeers: exciting visuals in this swashbuckling performance of the Dumas novel
Photo. Maria Vartanova
The Three Musketeers by Ken Ludwig. Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, an OLT Production
The visuals in the latest Ottawa Little Theatre production are spectacular. The many sword fights in this athletic show are well executed. Even the flow of the set changes is very watchable.
Sadly, the script by Ken Ludwig (best known for his comedy Lend Me a Tenor) is of less interest than the production values. Yes, the play was a hit when it premiered at the Bristol Old Vic in 2006, but that does not lessen the annoying quality of the playwright’s uncertainty about whether to deliver a facetious send-up of the 19th-century novel or to stay true to Alexandre Dumas’ adventure story — a classic that has appeared in more than 100 languages.
The basic storyline remains, following the journey of country bumpkin D’Artagnan in his quest to serve his king as a musketeer. En route, he faces duels with Athos, Porthos and Aramis — the three musketeers of the title — falls in love with Queen Anne’s favourite lady-in-waiting, Constance, saves the Queen’s honour and incurs the wrath of the powerful Cardinal Richelieu and his lieutenant Rochefort.
Ludwig throws in assorted wisecracks and adds a character, D’Artagnan’s tomboy, kid sister, Sabine. He calls for King Louis XIII to appear as a caricature of a fop and makes one of the musketeers a fashion-conscious fool. (There were assorted rumours about Louis’s sexuality, possibly partly because the monarch had a speech impediment and made wigs mandatory wear at court, but the father of the Sun King, Louis XIV, was not viewed as empty-headed during his reign, unlike the character drawn by Ludwig.)
The general impression of the OLT production is of a tremendous effort by director/ fight choreographer Stavros Sakiadis, his cast of 21 (playing some 37 roles), designers and crew in trying to create a cohesive whole out of Ludwig’s patchy script and succeeding only part of the time.
In the lead role of D’Artagnan, Robbie Clement is energetic, lively and very athletic. The other principals: Jon Dickey, Ezechial Leno and Ian Gillies as the three musketeers, Emily Walsh as Sabine and Christopher Glenn as Richelieu, are as effective as the script permits. Rebecca Laviolette as the unpleasant Milady is suitably menacing. (A minor problem is that she and Lindsay Laviolette — presumably her sister— look so much alike that there is room for confusion on stage.)
Although Kyla Gray has a clear understanding of the requirements of playing the villainous Rochefort, this is one role that does not fit comfortably into gender blindness. In addition, although the swashbuckling sword fights are well executed, the number and repetitive form become somewhat boring.
The real star of the show is set and lighting designer Graham Price, well supported by costume designer Glynis Ellens and sound designer David Ing.
Audience members who enjoy adventure tales spiced with cartoons and forced comedy have the opportunity to see the OLT production of The Three Musketeers until December 17.
Director: Stavros Sakiadis
Set and lighting: Graham Price
Sound: David Ing
Costumes: Glynis Ellens
Cast:
D’Artagnan ………………………………………………………. Robbie Clement
Father / M. Treville …………………………………………. Roy Van Hooydonk
Mother / Adele / Abbess / Servant ……………………………Briana Yerbury
Sabine …………………………………………………………Emily Walsh
Cardinal Richelieu …………………………………………… Christopher Glenn
Porthos ……………………………………………………… Jon Dickey
Aramis ………………………………………………………… Ezechial (Eze) Leno
Athos …………………………………………………………. Ian Gillies
Rochefort ……………………………………………………… Kyla Gray
Basille / Ensemble …………………………………………… Eric Anderson
Milady / Sophie ………………………………………………….. Rebecca Laviolette
Elise, Sister …………………………………………………………. Emily White
Constance …………………………………………………………… Katherine Norland
Ravanche / Innkeeper / Ensemble ……………………… ………….Ewan Reid
Queen Anne …………………………………………………………. Lindsay Laviolette
King Louis ……………………………………………………………. Jacob Benson
Beggar / Debris / Ensemble …………………………………. . Jesse Lalonde
Mother Superior / Old Woman / Ensemble …………. Jennifer Martinez
Fache / Stanley / Ensemble …………………………………. Morris Rothman
Duke of Buckingham …………………………………………….. Aaron Lajeunesse
Bar wench / Aramis love-interest / Ensemble ………. Pricilla Padaratz
