Progress Theatre's production of The Three Musketeers by Ken Ludwig, Progress Theatre, Reading 16th January 2015

A light hearted play based on the Alexandre Dumas’ classic full of swash-buckling, sword fighting, romancing Musketeers and shadowy, cowardly villains that definitely cheers up a gloomy January. A sparse stage is used creatively to create the impression of shifting scenes with a few suggestive props and lighting. I especially liked the use of the back wall as a map of all the venues which lit up to indicate the location of the next scene to avoid confusing the King of France's Palace with Cardinal Richelieu's house.

After a slow start which had just a hint of panto, the show started to pick up pace once d’Artagnan (competently played as a naïve but earnest young man by Darko Baric) and his sister arrive in Paris and make the acquaintance of the infamous Three Musketeers. Porthos (Warwick Manning), Athos (Ian Belcher) and Aramis (Kevin Copping) were well portrayed with a believable camaraderie. Cardinal Richelieu's (Richard Tripp) understated and menacing performance worked well to balance the comic buffoonery of the King whom he plotted to control by removing the influence of the Queen. The ensemble scenes were particularly enjoyable beginning with a tavern scene in the first act where the Musketeers retire after fighting the Cardinal's men to unwind. Little groups positioned around the stage interacted whilst different couplings were promoted to the audience's attention. A similar technique was used in act two to create the atmosphere for the King's Ball. The excellently choreographed fight scenes deserve special mention.

Throughout the performance there were moments of conspiratorial humour with the audience, some light and quick, others quite blatant but no less amusing and the whole ensemble deserves praise for enthusiastically keeping the laughs coming. A funny and unorthodox Convent Mother Superior (played by Nanette Naude) provided laughter before the tragic climax towards the end and a nod to one Dumas' other well-known novels lightens the mood exactly when needed. I wouldn't recommend this show to those people who believe uncompromisingly in the sanctity of Dumas' work but I’d definitely recommend it to everyone with a sense of humour, especially if you’re looking for an alternative to pantomime to combat the January blues that the whole family can enjoy.