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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Cirque Berserk! Giveaway

WIN A FAMILY TICKET AND MEET THE STARS

(AD) After sell-out London West End runs and two sensational summers at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Cirque Berserk! the UK’s biggest theatre-circus spectacular is back with a full nationwide tour.

And you could win a Meet-the-Stars Family Ticket to see the show free at the performance of your choice (subject to availability) at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton from 24^th to 29^th March 2020.

Combining contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action, Zippos Cirque Berserk! is a danger-filled spectacle to amaze audiences from 5 to 95. 

Cirque Berserk! brings this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-to-date in a jaw dropping spectacular created especially for theatre. Witness the world’s most dangerous circus act with the legendary motorcycle Globe of Death – five motorcyclists reaching speeds of over 60mph within the confines of a locked steel cage. PLUS experience thrilling acts from over 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, and daredevil stuntmen.

And add amazing physical comedy from the incredible 3ft 6in (107 cm) Brazilian acrobat and gymnast Paulo Dos Santos, former star of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus in America.  

Don’t miss out.  Enter now!  I have a FAMILY TICKET (two adults and two children) to give away.  As a Prize-winner, you’ll be given an exclusive photo-opportunity for yourself and your group to stand beside the motorcycle Globe of Death before a performance and take your own photos with the dare-devil riders on their stationary machines.  To enter, just head on over to Instagram (southernyachtcathy) and leave a comment with the answer to this question:

How many bikers ride inside the Globe of Death?

Giveaway closes on midday GMT Monday 9th March and a winner will be picked at random. Winner will be messaged for contact details so that Nuffield Theatre, Southampton can get in touch to arrange their show tickets. There is no cash alternative & the organisers’ decision is final. Not affiliated with Instagram

For National Theatre Tour dates and venues, show times and prices visit www.cirqueberserk.co.uk

Good Luck!

Cathy
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