A Review of Magdalen College School’s The Three Musketeers

The Oxford Playhouse is currently playing host to a somewhat younger cast than is typically found upon the stage, with Magdalen College School descending upon the space as they bring to life the swashbuckling world of Alexandre Dumas’ musketeers. As has been rightly pointed out by director Alex Thomas, The Three Musketeers contains a cast of characters that we are all familiar with whether we have ever picked up a copy of Dumas’ novel or not. For Thomas’ adaptation of this iconic story the original plot is very clear to see, the story being told by the wonderful Balladeer played by Henry Isaacs.

Opening in a lively and bustling tavern, we meet our storyteller, Isaacs drawing the audience (both on and off the stage) into the tale of D’Artagnan and his comrades. It is a tale of adventure, which unfolds around the brightly dressed Balladeer and his enraptured audience. We are drawn into the world of musketeers with the help of the ensemble, who morph between listeners and participants of the story, helping to bring the bustling streets to life. For those of you unfamiliar with the plot, it follows the young D’Artagnan as he sets out to join the King’s Musketeers just as his father did. Encountering various friends and foes, he finds himself caught up in a conspiracy to disgrace the queen and sets off to England with his new companions in the hope of restoring the queen’s honour. From taverns to prisons to the French court, Christianna Mason’s set is at once simple enough to morph between the various locations of their journey and immersive enough to draw us into the world of the musketeers and their foes.

The musketeers are a somewhat motley crew, with their own challenges to overcome and distinct personalities which are portrayed well. Thomas Shelley brings D’Artagnan to life with equal degrees of talent and enthusiasm, the character’s earnest and naive nature being clear to see. Attempting to thwart the musketeers at every turn, Erin Alexander’s Milday de Winter is excellently performed. The actor leans into the role with confidence, balancing the seductive nature of the character with the complexities of her past. The challenge with such a large ensemble is to be memorable and amongst the most memorable is certainly Toby Rees’ Bonancieux, whose pathetic character is performed with comedic genius. Always entertaining the audience with his larger than life performance, Rees’ whimpering and dramatic Bonancieux is an undeniable highlight.

On the topic of highlights, one cannot discuss this show without mentioning the songs scattered through it. These musical numbers are lively, catchy and energetically performed, with the support of the amazing orchestra. I have no doubt that some of these will end up stuck more than a few heads this week!

It would be remiss of me not to include a shoutout to the adults who have brought this project to life; a massive congratulations on this achievement. Filled with humour, singing and action, this is a performance well worth turning your attention towards this week. This was my first experience of MCS Drama and I was blown away by the scale and the talent on display. These students rose to the challenge of the professional theatre setting, creating something that was a pleasure to witness. I wish the team the best of luck with the rest of their run!

The Three Musketeers runs Until Saturday 28th June at The Oxford Playhouse