The Three Musketeers -Le Panteau

I have always, really enjoyed visiting Kelvedon Players productions and especially their pantomimes as they are usually magical productions which are enjoyed totally by the children and families alike that return year after year.  I was intrigued to see their new show as it did sound rather different to the traditional pantomime that I get to review. I have to admit this cleverly written pantomime was very different and very adult. Luckily being first night and a late night ending, it was full to the brim with the older audience which was maybe just as well as I did feel that younger children might find it a bit puzzling with the involved plot of royal adultery and the true Quiche of Lorraine and might in the coming matinees fall short on the impact that their usual pantomimes deliver.
Still this company are very keen to push the boundaries and certainly the older audience enjoyed the show, especially one group of gentlemen who shouted and commented throughout the whole proceedings and even kept waving at the principal boy to try and get attention. It certainly gave the experienced cast a chance to improvise to keep the proceedings going and answer back all that was thrown at them by this particular heckling group.
To open the show we had the very experienced comedian Jim Wicks as Plonquer who introduced us to all the characters and wanted the audience to shout ‘Oi Plonquer’ whenever he was needed   A shame he was not used more as I think the children will love shouting out this and it would have been good for the writer to involve this character more than he did.    
D’Artagnan played with great panache, was Milli Finch, who sets out for Paris to be a Musketeer. Looking every inch the Principal Boy she shone in her role and was totally convincing even when her sword was broken by Le Chevalier du Lobster Roquefort (Gavin Baldry). Tall and imposing, Roquefort was the evil sidekick to Cardinal Richleeugh and together they gave us plenty of sneering and evil laughs to get the audience booing.  
At this point I must commend the Costume department of Jill Hinds, Sue Ramsden and Jenny Landman.  The costumes for all their shows are always great but the ones used in this production were stunning as were the sets.  The backstage crew were very well skilled as there were twenty four scenes with associated changes; they must have been exhausted by the end of the night.
The Three Musketeers Athos (Heather McFee), Porthos (Theresa Hanham) and Aramis (Martyn Hill) were the fearless trio who protected the King. They sung well together and were great fun, especially the drunken one!  
Jill Hinds as King Louis was simply wonderful, dropping her r’s and giving us some regal geniality.  Her Queen Anne was Heidi Hamber, who delighted the crowds with her version of ‘You’re the one that I want’ with her lover Duke of Tottenham played with great ham by the wonderful John Holmes.  These two actors really enjoy being paired together and the chemistry of the pair works really well on stage.
The two henchmen Zach Rebleur and Zoot Alor ( Glynis Yates and Michael Howard) were a willingly incompetent pair of buffoons and again this was a very good casting by the director Rosemary Townsend.  Rosemary must have really had her work cut out with twenty three people on stage and such a huge script. Accolades go out to her as rehearsals must have been incredibly hard to get such a large cast together and produce the final show; she should be proud of her achievements.
Lots more evil characters were in this production. We had the conniving Malady de Splinter (Kelly Brown) who gave a commanding performance and looked every inch the evil temptress. Snivelling Monsieur Hon Hi Hon ( Richard Shand)  wanted to get rid of his beautiful wife Constant (Amy Regan) who in turn wanted to run away with D’Artagnan.  Yes this plot did get very involved and again I do wonder when the children come they will understand it all??  Amy and Milli were another great partnership, they both looked the pantomime young lovers. I also have to say I loved Gerard Drippy Dew the Snail. Charlotte French has a very expressive face and made me laugh as she slowly went across the stage. 
There are so many characters in this production that I cannot mention everyone, but last but not least was Andy Perrin as Dame Desiree D’Artagnan.  With his northern accent and wonderful repartee, Andy knows how to handle a heckling crowd and kept the proceedings going.  It’s a shame that the Dame role is this panto is not a large one as I would love to see Andy take on a larger Dame role and hopefully next year this will happen as he is simply great on stage.  
At Kelvedon Players there is always huge enthusiasm by all the cast and a great excitement for the first night. Throughout the production there was a huge emphasis on fun and enjoyment with everyone relishing their own roles. Accents especially the French one had hints of ‘Allo Allo; making it all the more hilarious.  All the cast had a natural ease on stage and although sometimes the pace was a little slow I did put this down to first night nerves.  Sound and Lighting was excellent and the whole night was a complete success for the company. We would like to extend our thanks to Jeremy Doughton as FOH, who looked after us so well and made us very welcome.     Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and I very much look forward to seeing your next production.

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