The Three Musketeers - Spring Grove Fringe
March 2007

Once again the phenomenal community theatre group, the Spring Grove Fringe, have provided the good burghers of Kingston upon Thames with an original and exciting dramatic event. The long-awaited adaptation of The Three Musketeers by the acclaimed dramatist and director, Roger Chown, fresh from the BBC archives, has not disappointed. Chown has created a daring piece of theatre mainly through his extensive use of improvisation ensuring no two performances are the same. A follower of Mike Leigh, Chown believes strongly that less is more in rehearsal time and allows his actors freedom of surprise and spontaneity in performance, most strikingly portrayed by the excellent Linda Rhead in a variety of minor roles which left the audience gasping, if not confused.

Fortunately Chown was ably assisted in all matters practical by the SGF veterans Nigel Duffin and Pam Vaughan whose grasp on the essentials of the play was invaluable. The production was also enhanced by the evocative original score written and played by the world-famous composer, Paul Reeves, who bravely smiled throughout the performance of his masterpiece.

The all-female casting of the Musketeers was bold and brilliant with strong performances from Amanda Shaw, Jo Need and Julia Becker. One would not imagine that they had been introduced to the rapier only a matter of weeks before, so realistic was the terror of the sword-play in their expressions. Jenny Robson shone as the youthful D’Artagnan and Scott Milligan provided the perfect amount of gravitas as Treville, his shining head contrasting well on stage with the abundant locks of the Musketeers.

John Hackett brought a suitable touch of gothic to his portrayal of the evil Richelieu, supported equally darkly by Ross Jones as the sarcastic and frustrated Rochefort. Daisy Jones commanded the stage as the wicked Milady de Winter with an unforgettably venomous “you odious creature”! The technical difficulty of the diamond studs which clearly presented something of a challenge to SGF was nevertheless managed to great dramatic effect by the brilliant ingénue, Sandy Gavshon, as The Queen Anne. Georgie Gladwyn as her maid, Constance, was simply perfect as the ‘love-interest’ for D’Artagnan. A newcomer to speaking parts, Gavshon, was fortunate to be well supported by both her costume and the two towering performances of John Edwards as King Louis and Allan Lloyd as the Duke of Buckingham, masters of the art of commanding the stage and all minions.

Most noteworthy were the strong performances from the actors in assorted minor roles: Nick Sheldon, Jacqui Rollason, Jonathan Rollason, Adrian Treloar and Karina Ramnarian who used make-up to great effect with the addition of various warty pustules as a very visual metaphor for the increasing disease and decay at Court. Bethany Birley added something to the general edginess of the performance by wandering on stage at moments when she felt an extra presence was required to balance the overall effect and who knows, maybe she was right. Certainly after the strong opening of the play by Tim Doyle the audience would have welcomed his return to stage at the end to bring ‘closure’ to this emotional scene.

It is a matter of great regret that this performance was fractionally too late for inclusion in this year’s BAFTA awards but it will undoubtedly sweep the board next year unless the West End can provide some decent competition and there is a rumour that Chown is in negotiation with Kevin Spacey for a season at the Old Vic later this year if the cast can be persuaded to leave the Spring Grove and ‘tour’. But is London ready for such talent?

Sandy Gavshon