Deeds of derring do

Press, 23 November 1988, Page 24

Deeds of derring do

‘The Press’ Family Season ‘THE THREE MUSKETEERS’

“The Three Musketeers” will be the “Press” Family Season at the Court Theatre this summer.

The show, which opens on December 2, is an adaptation by New Zealander Simon Phillips of the swashbuckling story by Alexandre Dumas.

France is in the hands of the scheming Cardinal Richelieu, and the fate of Queen and country rests with the musketeers.

D’Artagnan, “learning the ropes” from the finest of them all — Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, finds a musketeer’s job involves foiling dastardly plots, making dramatic rescues, and resisting the wicked wiles of Milady de Winter.

The director of the Court production, Elric Hooper, says Phillips has put his tongue firmly in his cheek and come up with a show that reminds him of the Keystone Cops meeting Errol Flynn at a party at Charley’s aunt’s: “The style is impeccable,

the story improbable, and the humour irresistible ” The production, based on Phillips’ successful season in Melbourne, involves 73 sequences, 46 characters, a revolving stage and plenty of theatrical tricks. Songs have been specially commissioned from John Densem, the set is by Tony Geddes, and the costumes by Pamela Maling.

“The Three Musketeers” is the first summer season to be sponsored by the Christchurch Press Company. “The Press” became involved with last year’s pantomime at the Court, “Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp.”

The Newspapers in Education section of “The Press” is using “The Three Musketeers” to show drama production techniques related to a question in the School Certificate syllabus, and N.I.E. is mounting an exhibition on drama in schools at the theatre.