About the Play:

The Three Musketeers is a full-length comedy adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig from the Alexandre Dumas epic novel. A fresh, fast-paced, and hilarious adaptation of one of literature's most thrilling romantic adventures. The dashing musketeers – and one plucky kid sister – swashbuckle their way through nefarious villains, international intrigue, and exotic ladies. It's 'all for one and one for all!' in an action-packed update of this beloved classic. Especially recommended for school and contest use.

The Three Musketeers is a fast-paced and funny adaptation of the beloved classic tale of the dashing Musketeers. The story, set in 1625, begins with young d'Artagnan, who sets off for Paris in search of adventure. Along with d'Artagnan goes Sabine, his sister, the quintessential tomboy. Sent with d'Artagnan to attend a convent school in Paris, she poses as a young man – d'Artagnan's servant – and quickly becomes entangled in her brother's adventures. Soon after reaching Paris, d'Artagnan encounters the greatest heroes of the day, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the famous three Musketeers, and he joins forces with his heroes to defend the honor of the Queen of France. In so doing, he finds himself in opposition to the most dangerous man in Europe, Cardinal Richelieu. Even more deadly is the infamous Countess de Winter, known as Milady, who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on d'Artagnan – and Sabine – for their meddlesome behaviour. Little does Milady know that the young girl she scorns, Sabine, will ultimately save the day. This thrilling and playful adventure is a tale of heroism, treachery, close escapes, and above all, honour, that was commissioned by the Bristol Old Vic in England.

The Three Musketeers premiered in 2006 at the world famous Bristol Old Vic in Bristol, UK and received ecstatic reviews. Since then the play had regional premieres at professional theatres across the US and has been mounted by high schools, colleges, and community theatres.

Cast: 4 female, 8 male (with doubling)

What people say:

"[A] slick, swashbuckling romp that cleverly updates the Dumas novel [...] Ken Ludwig's new version of the story simply refreshes it, distilling its energy and strengthening its timeless appeal." — The Guardian (UK)

"Ludwig tells a pacy tale with a suitable seasonal mix of merriment, musketeering, romance and the most gruesome stage death I've seen this year." — The Mail on Sunday (UK)

"Four stars out of four. The Bristol Old Vic has come up with a real winner for its festive production. Ken Ludwig's adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's classic yarn is completely in keeping with the most popular Hollywood versions." — Bristol Evening Post

"Four stars out of four. Bristol Old Vic's spectacular new production certainly lives up to its swashbuckling billing. [It's] a mixture of love, adventure and good old-fashioned values." — Bristol Metro

"Breathtakingly authentic. Just the right seasonal mix of low comedy, stirring music, catchphrases ancient and modern and designs that suggest Hollywood in its heyday." — The Stage

About the Playwright:

Ken Ludwig is an internationally acclaimed American playwright whose work is performed throughout the world in more than thirty countries in over twenty languages. He has written twenty-five plays and musicals, with six Broadway productions and seven in London's West End. He has also won two Laurence Olivier Awards and the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was a celebrated French author best known for his historical adventure novels, including The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. One of the literary lights of France during the Romantic Revolution, his complete works eventually filling over three hundred volumes. George Bernard Shaw described him as "one of the best storytellers that ever lived."