The 3 Musketeers: Intrigue. Love. Tragedy. Croissants.
DATES: When: 1–11 August 2018. Preview: Wednesday, 1 August, 8pm; Opening night: Thursday, 2 August, 8pm
LOCATION: Bluestone Church Arts Space - 8a Hyde St, Footscray
WEBSITE/BOOKING: www.trybooking.com/VNTC
Cost: $25 – $36
Directed by Natasha Broadstock (Anno Zombie, demens, Do You Fear The Dark?), the play has been cast gender blind with only three actors matching the gender of their characters. Natasha's philosophy behind this casting would make an interesting interview as would her new take on this favourite swash-buckling classic.
On Gender Blind casting:
Inspired by Kate Mulvany’s astonishing performance as Richard III, Natasha decided to cast ‘The 3 Musketeers’ gender-blind. She pulled together an interesting ensemble of actors, and held a workshop experimenting with different people in different roles – ultimately casting the best person for each part, regardless of gender. In fact, only two actors are playing characters who are ‘their’ gender (for example, we have a male ‘femme fatale’ and a male ‘damsel in distress’; and two of the three titular musketeers are female). As the English director Edward Hall once said: ‘it’s amazing how little the gender of … characters matter. You just play them as people.’
On writing the adaptation:
Natasha wrote this adaptation of ‘The 3 Musketeers’ in 2001, beginning shortly after the birth of her first child, Molly. Writing in the brief snatches of time that new motherhood allowed, it took her nearly a year. The script has remained unperformed until now. Molly – now 17 years old – has become an actor herself, and is one of the young stars of ABC ME’s hit television show, Mustangs FC. The play also features Green Room nominated actor, Scott Jackson. Credits include: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer night's Dream, As You Like It, Hamlet, Shakespeare's best Bits all for Australian Shakespeare Company and King Lear for Ozact. Scott is also a member of the prestigious Melbourne Playback Theatre Company. Scott plays Porthos/The King in this production.
Another actor of interest is Angelique Malcolm who is also a writer and director and has been the Artistic Director of Class Act Theatre since 1994. She was instrumental in establishing WA's first all-female theatre company . An Equity Guild Award nominee, she received the first Performing Arts WA award for a significant contribution to the professional WA theatre industry. Angelique plays Aramis/The Duke in this production.
Join The 3 Musketeers and their young friend D’Artagnan in a fast-paced romp through 17th-century France – a rip-roaring, gender-bending, breakneck tale of passion and intrigue, comedy and tragedy, with splashes of music. Embracing the classic novel’s themes of loyalty and camaraderie, The 3 Musketeers also delves deep into the dark side of one of its ostensible heroes, to bring you the ultimate swashbuckling adventure ... with an edge. The 3 Musketeers features a cast of Melbourne independent theatre’s brightest lights, including Green Room nominee Scott Jackson and Angelique Malcolm (winner of the Performing Arts WA Award for a significant contribution to professional theatre).
Eleven performances only. Bookings highly recommended.
‘A sublimely ridiculous “zom-com” … Broadstock’s direction cleverly expands Burton’s layered script. She creates depth and illusion …’
– Baggage Productions’ Anno Zombie, TheatrePeople
‘Broadstock supervises her experienced performers with a deft touch … [her]
considered vision maintains pace, but she also allows herself enough time
for every emotional layer to be peeled back like an onion’
– Curious Cat’s demens, TheatrePeople
Thanks to our friends at Kris Weber Publicity Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Magazine proudly covers the 2 August performance (media: Roslynne Garwood-Webb) Please stay tuned for more information