The Three Musketeers

Following a successful spring tour, this delightful family-friendly show is available for limited dates in Autumn 2009.

Dumas’ beloved story is shoe-horned into an hour of absurd physical comedy and ridiculous plot twists, as fringe favourites Faultless and Torrance attempt to save king and country with the assistance of poorly attached facial hair.

All the duels, intrigue and adventure you could wish for will be presented live before your very eyes in glorious technicolour. New meaning is given to ‘One for All, and All For One’ as the two actors play everybody in the King’s court.

Faultless and Torrance have re-invented the classic tale for the stage and themselves, featuring not just the three musketeers but D’Artagnan, the villainess Milady de Winter and the dastardly Cardinal Richelieu. The indomitable pair make an epic bid for legendary status as they deliver the musketeers’ tale in a fast-paced escapade of high drama and action.

Written and performed by Alys Torrance and Judith Faultless. Directed by Owen Lewis. Designed by Simon Scullion. Touring spring/summer 2009.

The Stage

This whimsical, light-hearted version of Dumas’ classic tale is brought charmingly to life by Alys Torrance and Judith Faultless. Most of its humour derives from the jokey competitiveness between the two as they argue over who gets the lead roles and set each other little tests to make their acting more difficult. It’s all very tongue in cheek, revelling in its low production values and delivered with gusto. Although adults will enjoy the playfulness, the show would be ideally suited to children because as well as introducing the story of D'Artagnan, the trio of musketeers, the Queen’s missing diamonds and the machiavellian Cardinal Richelieu, it also shows them how theatre works. A lamp stand can replace a missing character, a sash means you’re D'Artagnan – adopt a limp and you become the innkeeper’s wife. Best of all, a red velvet backdrop is transformed into the evil Cardinal when a head and hand are poked through it. Owen Lewis directs with a gleeful eye on the performers’ rapport with each other.

Metro

Judith and Alys are arguing over who is going to play D'Artagnan, but since Judith has the costume, she wins. It's a silly opening that sets the silly tone of this rollicking two-hander. Between bouts of bickering the pair steam through an abbreviated version of Alexandre Dumas's 1844 tale, taking on all the roles with gusto and dressed in equally ridiculous ensembles (feather dusters are used as feathers, and fisherman's waders and wellies as musketeer garb). The duo's delivery is so likable you forgive them a little self-indulgence. Their witty script and dotty characters help: France is a place where 'it's medically possible to die of love', while the Cardinal is a self-doubting evil genius who likes to sing.

The Scotsman

The swashbuckling tale of D'Artagnan, with its sword fights, stolen diamonds, heroic expeditions and villainous spies, is an absurdly impossible undertaking for a two-woman team with little more than a few plumed hats and a couple of false beards. It is from this very fact that Judith Faultless and Alys Torrance derive much of their humour in this warmly comic rewrite of Dumas' classic. Simple props are used to maximum effect – a curtain does a very good job of evoking Cardinal Richelieu, while a hatstand doubles as whichever musketeer is currently lacking. The pair are very good comic performers, and the rivalry between them for the part of D'Artagnan is well used throughout. Their vigorous and valiant attempt at the impossible makes this a fun way to spend an hour.

British Theatre Guide

'In a far off land we can only dream of - France!' two actors tell their tale. Yes, two. Obviously this causes havoc with the title of the show, there being three Musketeers, not to mention D'Artagnon himself. And so begins a show of fast paced costume changes, numerous silly hats and not-quite visual trickery. In their wellies and waders, washing up gloves and bath mats the two female actors perform with great inventiveness and enthusiasm. A fun entertainment for all ages.

ThreeWeeks

Two women seem like an unlikely cast for Dumas' classic silly romp about four swashbuckling Frenchmen, but Faultless and Torrance did well here, presenting all the characters, from gallant young D'Artagnan to the dastardly camp cardinal with a fast-paced flourish of plumes and rapiers. The pair certainly had chemistry and their daft antics were reminiscent of some Radio 4 comedies.

One4Review

I initially wondered how just these two extremely funny comedy actors would cope with all the roles in this skit on the Dumas classic, but then why did I? I've seen them before and both being women, multi-tasking does come naturally doesn't it? The ladies squabble initially as to who will play the title role of d'Artagnan and from that moment on the fun begins. The usual storyline is adapted by this intrepid pair as Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Cardinals kings, Buckingham, assorted guards a landlord wife and the mysterious masked Milady all have their input into this gloriously silly romp.