Southern Yacht

My little take on plus size fashion, life, travel and smurfs

Thursday 20 February 2020

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure at Nuffield Southampton Theatre, City

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

It's currently half-term here at the moment. Finding ways to keep children (and adults) entertained can be challenging at the best of times. When you add in the glorious February weather as well, you'll need to find something pretty special. The Nuffield Southampton Theatre City has the perfect solution with a comedy adventure that transports you back to 17th century France.

Created by the award winning Le Navet Bete, The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure* is a tongue in cheek retelling of the classic Dumas novel. It doesn't seem possible to squeeze a 700 page book into a two hour play but they do. Complete with a Monty Python, slapstick comedy twist, a cast of four and 112 costume changes!

As you can imagine, with such a small cast, it's a very physical show. The stage is set with a giant tree house over multiple levels. It starts with four friends acting out the story of the Three Musketeers in the tree house wearing their mum's curtains as tabards and riding bicycles and scooters as horse. As the play evolves, it becomes more and more real and ends with the cast in the full Musketeers uniform with swords.

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

I can't even begin to imagine how much energy was needed to perform this show every night. From the multiple costume changes through to the energetic, choreographed scenes on the tree house, I'm just in awe of how they remember it all and made it look so seamless. It was obvious that they were four friends having genuine fun and being in a relatively small theatre meant we could see their facial expressions and share in the moments of laughter for ourselves.

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

There were definitely lines and innuendos that were just for adults (I'm sure the family in front of us had fun explaining when their child asked loudly what was happening in the shed!) But as the cast later said, it kept both adults and children entertained. Stand out moments for me included the character of Milady de Winter, a gloriously camp villain who stole every scene. Plus Abi the stage manager who stayed on stage throughout assisting with props and costume changes and handled a leaf blower brilliantly while all the time keeping a straight face.

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

I have to mention the duck hunting too - great audience participation and some v.funny unscripted moments. I'm just sad that I didn't get a chance to catch a duck!

A really personal touch was the cast coming out into the bar after the show to chat to the audience. Watching one little boy's face light up as he spoke to one of the actors was heartwarming. And it was interesting to hear the story of how the company go the name of Le Navet Bete. To take the time to do this after such a physical performance was really appreciated.

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure from Le Navet Bete

If you get the chance to go and see this - I'd really recommend it for both adults and children alike. It's exuberant, laugh-out-loud fun that's on at the Nuffield Southampton Theatre, City until 22nd February 2020.


Thanks for reading

Cathy

* Tickets were gifted for the purpose of this review


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