The Three Musketeers
Logie Steading Courtyard, Forres 26/8/26
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
Adaptation by Oliver Gray
Illyria Theatre Company directed by Jennifer Fletcher
Once again an outdoor touring theatre company bring one of four productions to the lovely Logie Steading Courtyard in Forres. The indomitable Panny Laing brings Illyria to the Highlands every year with their current show, even during the pandemic. This time I had the pleasure of attending an adaptation of 'The Three Musketeers.' Thankfully the weather was kind, and on a lovely evening the packed audience brought their own seating, many with a picnic and a glass of wine.
The opening was a classic swashbuckling sword fight with D’Artagnan. Porthos, Aramis and the oldest Athos (Comte de la Fere) meeting up for the first time. And thus, the story unfolds. A complicated plot with multiple characters, all fitted in to a running time of 135 minutes with interval. Along the way we meet the Cardinal Richelieu and of course Milady DeWinter, the servant girl Kitty and many other characters, including a horse, all played by the versatile cast of six on a raised stage. Impressive sword fighting and quick change is the name of the game. If you want to experience physical theatre at its best, then choose an Illyria production. It is difficult to pick out one player from another with their changes of costume and quick-fire ripostes, but the audience loved King Loius XIII with his fluffy, glittery cloak. Overall, the costumes were of the period. The cast attacked the performance with enthusiastic brio, bearing in mind they must do the whole thing the next night in another location and so on around the country. Of course, the performance ends with the cry of ‘All for one, and one for All’.
The audience loved it but were eager to pack up as the second half lagged at bit and the evening was getting chilly. I would not say this was a young person friendly as our grandson was upset at the fighting where people get hurt. Thank goodness there was a field where children could kick a ball around! But the grown-ups were enthralled. A timeless tale performed by a talented cast. Let’s see if the RSC can pull it off this Christmas. Well done, Illyria. I can’t wait for next years programme.
