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Musketeers’ story given a new fast-paced entertaining twist

  • Writer: Charles Essex
    Charles Essex
  • May 10
  • 2 min read
The cast at the ball. Photo by Gillian Round.
The cast at the ball. Photo by Gillian Round.

Caramba Theatre Company present The Man in the Iron Mask, performed at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 9 - 10 May. Directed and adapted by Tim Guest.

Review by Charles Essex.

 

Caramba Theatre Company gave a great all round performance of this adaptation of the famous Alexandre Dumas story.  Mollie Taylor played both King Louis and his twin brother Philippe, switching effortlessly between the different characters – Louis impetuous, spoilt and vindictive, Philippe gentle and honourable.  Louis imprisons Philippe, who becomes the eponymous man in the iron mask in The Bastille.


Mollie Taylor as King Louis. Photo by Gillian Round.
Mollie Taylor as King Louis. Photo by Gillian Round.

D’Artagnan (Dan Gough) was still in the king’s service, whilst his friends Athos (Tim Guest) and Porthos (Andy Woolley) had moved on. Tim gave a moving portrayal of a drunkard, grieving for the loss of his son killed unnecessarily in battle, whilst Andy gave Porthos the right amount of bonhomie, as both wanted a quiet life until Aramis (Julian Small) came calling.  Aramis became a bishop but on finding out Philippe’s identity calls on his friends to hatch a plot to put Philippe on the throne.


Tim Guest and Dan Gough. Photo by Gillian Round.
Tim Guest and Dan Gough. Photo by Gillian Round.

 Nineteen short scenes moved the plot along apace. This meant that it never felt like exposition when characters gave explanations about how the situation had arisen or why events were as they were.  The almost bare stage meant that scene changes by moving a couple of items of furniture were achieved quickly and efficiently. 

 

The casting worked well with Steve Dean as Fouquet, the manipulative power behind the throne and Deborah Bode-Williams as Louis’ wife, abused as it was a marriage of alliance not love.  The acting by all the cast was of a very high standard.  The costuming was very impressive, and the music, sound effects and lighting added to the production. 


Mollie Taylor as The Man In The Iron Mask. Photo by Gillian Round.
Mollie Taylor as The Man In The Iron Mask. Photo by Gillian Round.

Dan Gough played the part of D’Artagnan superbly, conveying his conflict of loyalty to Louis as king, yet disgust at the king’s behaviour.  Dan was also responsible for arranging the fight scenes including the sword fights which were particularly effective.  In the final scene Mollie as King Louis and an actor dressed identically but with her back to us (as Philippe) appear on stage.  There was a delightful dance scene at the ball which cleverly allowed the doppelganger to discreetly leave the stage and Mollie to reappear as Philippe, and become king.


This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening making this lengthy novel accessible and entertaining in an original way.

 

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