The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance will produce “The Three Musketeers” on select dates April 13 – 22.
Adapted by Catherine Bush from the infamous novel by Alexandre Dumas, the legendary three musketeers are brought to life in her hilariously witty adaptation. Filled with adventure, danger and swashbuckling swordplay, this play takes the audience on a journey with three heroes as they face dangerous villains and find new companionship along the way.
Cornel Gabara, director and associate professor of acting, brings a fresh and unexpected vision to “The Three Musketeers,” exploring an endless amount of comedic elements that stretch beyond the world of the play to tantalize the audience.
The style of this show offers a special challenge to student actors and designers who tackle the challenges of period, style and live sword fighting. Guest artist and fight director Darrel Rushton has brought new opportunities for the students to engage in professional rapier and dagger training and certification.
Lindsay Maiorano, Scenic Design Master of Fine Arts candidate, enjoyed the opportunity of working on a set to fit the play as well as accommodate large sword fights.
“It was a fun creative challenge to create a playful environment that illustrates the collision of three different worlds, however it was challenging to imagine a space that would allow room for the actors to fight, while also trying to incorporate parts of the set itself into the stage fighting,” she said. “Darrel and Cornel were very patient as we tried our best to produce such large pieces as quickly as possible so that the actors would have enough time during tech week to get accustomed to adjusting their fight choreography.”
Sophomore acting student Fletcher Olson added “I hadn't done any rapier or dagger training before this show, so it was a huge challenge for me to learn everything from scratch. It was a great learning experience and an absolute joy to work with Darrel on the sword fighting. Overall, working on this show has taught me how to access my sense of play and approach my character with a style of fun sophistication."
“The Three Musketeers” plays at 7:30 p.m. April 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 2 p.m. April 15 and 22 in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre at the Creative Arts Center. Tickets are available through the WVU Box Office’s on-campus locations, by phone at 304-293-SHOW or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.