The Three Musketeers, The musical

En garde! Watch your woolly hats and UGG boots as a bunch of sword-clad rogues and vagabonds hit snow-ridden Surrey.

Home-grown composing talent Stiles & Drewe (Mary Poppins, Honk, Peter Pan) give us a fresh take on our favourite swashbucklers based on the classic French tales which were originally penned by Alexandre Dumas more than two centuries ago. Completed in 2009, their work dons a contemporary musical theatre score, far removed from the PG Wodehouse/Rudolf Friml operetta-style version that played on Broadway back in 1928.

This new musical adaptation follows the fortunes of young D'Artagnan who leaves his country home in French Gascony to pursue his dream of adventure and glory in Paris with the King's Musketeers.

Set in 1625, the musical explores three intense love affairs, covering the forbidden passion of high ranking French Royals to the protagonist falling in love with the Queen's (married) seamstress Constance Bonacieux. As the characters weave their way through heart ache, quests and political intrigue, the importance of honour, passion, self-belief and friendship, stands at the core of this tale. A rather impressive set resembling those found on a feature film sound stage, provides the perfect backdrop, with the orchestra discreetly placed above the action at the top of the theatre.

The cast can only be commended, formidably handling effectively conceived choreography, and scene after scene of very complex (sword) fighting manoeuvres. Their evening’s work-out regime rather echoes the energy and elan required for a Bushtucker trial. Michael Pickering as D’Artagnan is a splendid example of an up-and-coming, all-encompassing leading man, as he tumbles around the set with the ease of a trapeze artist, still managing to hit his top notes with conviction and power. Hal Fowler (last seen in a frock in Cinderella), can add yet another successful performance to his repertoire of successful stage heroes with his portrayal of middle-aged Musketeer Porthos. Matt Rawle is sexy, cocky and convincing as Musketeer number two (Aramis) while Paul Thornley brings a lovely vulnerability to Athos and his disappointments in love and life, as the last of The Inseparables.

Kaisa Hammerlund portrays a beautiful, yet feisty and strong-voiced Constance, while Ben Heathcote as servant Planchet stands out with superb comic timing and a unique stage presence, making him somewhat of an inevitable scene-stealer. CJ Johnson as Milady de Winter is a strong actress however I felt she lacked the vocal power for some of her final ballad moments, while Kirsty Hoiles as The Queen did not always seem totally at home in her role.

Unfortunately, the show loses momentum several times – running in at three hours, it is simply too long and interludes such as Riding to Paris, rather halter the action and do not add to character development. The book could do with some ruthless cuts and pivotal rewriting. The music is cleverly structured, well-orchestrated and suitably ‘French’, and yet lacks that certain je ne sais quoi to catapult stand-alone numbers into the sphere of timeless musical theatre anthems.

The often rather complex Sondheimesque song structure and sometimes rather mature subject matters, also do not really lend themselves to the self-proclaimed “age 10+” audience recommendation. Though family friendly, unlike pantomime, this requires close attention to detail so as to take on board all the subtle, yet crucial, twists and turns.

The Kingston Rose should be commended for abandoning obvious family entertainment this Christmas season, and instead choosing to house their first full scale musical, taking a chance on a new British concoction. Though clearly a work in progress, The Three Musketeers nevertheless humours with aptly placed one-liners and some compelling ensemble action.

The Three Musketeers - A New Musical
27 November - 2 January

Thurs 30 Dec, 2.30: Audio-described performance William Clancy
No performances
28 Nov, Sun 5, Mon 6, Mon 13, Mon
20, Sat 25, Mon 27 Dec or Sat 1 Jan
Recommended for ages 8+, parental guidance.