Review: THE THREE MUSKETEERS - ATTEMPTED BY FOOLHARDY (Online)

Photo credit: Mark Senior

FoolHardy Theatre bring us, or in their own words ‘attempt’, an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel The Three Musketeers. Written by Sydney Stevenson and directed by Joseph O’Malley, the classic tale is bought together with audio and animation in a new online audio comedy. 

Taken back to the regal splendour of 17th century France, we are treated to some wonderful animation with incredible detail. The only thing that is missing is animated people but it is FoolHardy after all. 

We open with Antony Eden portraying David Du Lesley who, in turn, also portrays D’Artagnan and Cardinal Richelieu – an actor playing an actor, acting in a play. We are treated to the ole’ familiar Zoom opening where Eden aka David meets Robert Lindsay who thinks he will be playing the lead roles but is in fact taking on the role of the Narrator. 

We then follow the roles through the story and with wit provided by Lindsay, the piece begins to grab your attention. Lindsay shines in this piece. His voice is recognisably his, he is well spoken as the narrator, has an air of authority and his comedic timing is absolutely on point; dry and cutting in some instances, which makes for snorts of laughter. 

Lydia Perkins plays Maisie Stephens who, in turn, plays the Queen, Treville, Guard, Servant and Captain. She is hilarious and uses some of her lines to stand up for feminism by making subtle and often hilarious comments about the sexist lines in the piece. 

We get David Bedella in his pants, Dianne Pilkington’s son wanting food and the usual interruptions on Zoom throughout the piece, which only seems to frustrate Eden’s Du Lesley more. It is something we can all relate to and makes it funnier.

The casting is exceptional and it is wonderful to see a female Athos with Sarah Kameela Impey completely making the role her own. The play itself has good pace and remains true to the original story, but with many FoolHardy quirks which bring it to a more adult audience. 

As an audio piece, all of the acting is voice work and what’s good is that you are aware that actors are multi-roling but you cannot distinguish who is playing who exactly. All of the actors have thrown themselves into making every character they play different and it’s superb.

The Three Musketeers starts today and runs until 27 June, and with a running time of just over an hour, it is the perfect length too.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by Emma Littler

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.