You’ll have to be ‘en garde’ not to miss this fantastic production at Drum Castle this weekend. Cheryl Livingstone finds out more
Watch the fabulous characters from Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Three Musketeers come to life in the beautiful grounds at the National Trust for Scotland’s Drum Castle on Saturday, July 25
All for one and one for all, Illyria’s production of the adventure classic is not to be missed. It is an outdoor show full of excitement, intrigue, betrayal, comedy and dazzling swordplay.
Go on an adventure with young D’Artagnan who is desperate to join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite musketeer of the King’s Guard. Set against a sweeping panorama of 17th-century France at war, this production is a whirlwind of excitement, broad comedy and the dazzling swordplay for which Illyria has an unmatched reputation.
In order to prove himself, D’Artagnan plunges headlong into an adventure across France – and even to London – to retrieve the Queen’s jewels, restore honour and dodge the machinations of scheming Cardinal Richelieu.
Alison Burke, property manager at Drum Castle, said: “We’re excited to be welcoming the production of The Three Musketeers. Join us on the action-filled adventure, full of excitement and swordplay.”
The performance begins at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £16 for adults, £12 for children and £50 for a family. Tickets are limited and can be booked in advance at www.nts.org.uk or call 01330 700334.
This is an outdoor event, so please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear and bring a rug or low-backed seating.
MEET THE MUSKETEERS
Name: Matthew Rothwell
Age: 32
Name of Character: Athos
About the character: He is the oldest and wisest of the Three Musketeers, deeply secretive, with a dark past and a penchant for drink.
Challenges when preparing for the role: Being a naturally cheerful and gregarious chap, I found it a challenge to play such a secretive and melancholy character.
What do I enjoy most about the role: When preparing for the role I enjoyed having to drink copious amounts of booze in order to get into the right mindset. I particularly enjoyed the confrontational scenes with Milady de Winter which lead to a climactic showdown.
Name: Beau Jeavons-White
Age: 24
Name of Character: Porthos
About the character: He is the largest of three, motivated by food. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but incredibly loyal and brave.
Challenges when preparing for the role: I love food, so there hasn’t been any difficulty understanding the character’s mindset.
What do I enjoy most about the role: I really enjoy being one of the three musketeers and realising one of my childhood fantasies – running around in a cape, swordfighting.
Name: Frank Teale
Age: 35
Name of Character: Aramis
About the character: Aramis is a bit of a ladies man, but he won’t admit to that; he always makes out that he has been studying the Bible or having discussions with men of the Church. He maintains that he is only a musketeer temporarily, and that he will become an abbe someday, but he never actually quits the service. He likes the adventure and prestige that being a musketeer brings too much. He is, of course, very brave, an excellent swordfighter, and loyal to king and country. I think he has a wicked sense of humour, too.
Challenges when preparing for the role: Of all the characters I play in the play (I also play the King and Buckingham), he is the most normal. The others are all over-the-top grotesque characters. I went with a certain stereotype and ran with it. I couldn’t do that as easily with Aramis, so it took me a while to figure out how to play him. I’ve upped his sense of fun, which seems to have worked.
What do I enjoy most about the role: It’s just a lot of fun to be playing with swords. I’ve done a lot of stage combat training, and have done unarmed combat in several plays, but I never had the chance to do armed combat. It’s great. It’s a fast-paced show, completely over the top, like Dumas’ book is, actually, and it’s a joy to be a part of it.