The Three Musketeers

Un pour tous, tous pour un ! One for all and all for one!

Dome of the Palais des Sports, Paris

The refrain from Les Trois Mousquetaires or The Three Musketeers is as familiar in English as in French. The historical adventure story by Alexandre Dumas remains popular to this day. It has seen countless film productions. 

I welcomed the opportunity to see the latest musical production in French at the Palais des Sports in Paris.

The role of D’Artagnan was played by the decidedly dishy French-Canadian Olivier Dion. However, as befits the famous togetherness motto, he was not the only star in the show. All the leading roles showed star quality. The show plays to the strengths of each cast member. The songs are catchy. Voices are strong. The staging is stunning. The choreography and dancing are superb.

The young, hot-headed D’Artagnan heads for Paris to seek his fortune. His long journey is portrayed in an unsophisticated way. It provides an amusing contrast of his regional origins with the capital ahead and the otherwise highly modern production. Barely has D’Artagnan arrived than he finds himself called to duels by all 3 of the famed musketeers. We know the story in advance. Yet, the pace and acting still deliver the humour as if totally fresh to the audience.

The '4' Musketeers poster on the roof of the Palais des Sports

The production provides each star with a chance to shine. It is difficult to select all my favourite moments without spoiling all the surprises. Nonetheless, some moments stand out in my memory weeks later. The production of the evil Milady’s main scene is outstanding. The technology and fire combine to convey a very hot, menacing scene. Her cunning pursuit of the musketeers is as portrayed with simplicity and pace.

Although we know the story in advance, the actors keep us guessing until the last minute. Will the diamond necklace be returned from England in time? We still half expect another twist in the plot, as Richelieu waits ready to pounce on a hapless queen. Victoria enters the stage. She owns the stage as the triumphant, dazzling Queen of France. Her dress shimmers, her crown catches the light and the troublesome diamonds sparkle victory at her throat.

As the story is so familiar, it might even be possible to enjoy the production even if you don’t speak French. Les 3 Mousquetaires is a must-see spectacle. The whole cast received a lengthy and well-deserved standing ovation.

Les 3 Mousquetaires remains in Paris until 8th January 2017. It will then go on tour around France in 2017 – starting in Rouen in early February and currently finishing in Nice in July. I’m sorely tempted to see it again. 

This spectacle impresses and uplifts. A treat to celebrate a special occasion. With the right backing and a professional English translation for the script and lyrics, I believe that this musicial theatre production has potential for a successful international transfer. West End and Broadway next stops?

Showcase video:

Karen Andrews is a freelance French to English translator/transcreator, content writer and editor. She has a strong background in marketing and project management.

Email Karen for further information via karenanglicityen@gmail.com in French, German or English

The Peony Pavilion

The National Ballet of China completed a short season at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London on Saturday. I attended the mesmerising final matinée. Although previously unknown to me, the ballet is a shortened version of a famous story in Chinese literature. An epic Chinese opera has been transformed into a two-act ballet blending Western and Chinese influences.

Chinese literature is not well-known in the West. The programme's synopsis was greatly appreciated by the audience. It helped us to understand that the three principal characters on stage conveyed different aspects of Du Liniang. The dancing, choreography and intense colours of the production were mesmerising. The stage bore minimal yet striking scenery. The colour palette was equally minimalist: white, red, an intense blue and black. The costumes were both sumptuous and graceful by contrast.

Audience emerging from Sadler's Wells after the performance

The Kunqu opera singer was intriguing. Chinese opera has a very distinct sound. The beautiful Chinese singing was regrettably just a stream of sound to the largely Western audience. Jia Pengfei still succeeded in conveying a wide range of emotions in the story. Her performance was excellent. It was like being offered the best of an unfamiliar cuisine for the first time. It offered a great foretaste that left you wanting to understand, experience and appreciate more fully in future.

Act II Scene 2 is particularly striking after the dreamy sequences of the first Act. The stage is black to denote the Underworld. The dancers are largely dressed in black. The only relief is the intense red of the Infernal Judge’s long beard. Here punishment fits the crime. An arrogant man sits on the judge’s chair, but leaves the stage humbled on all fours as a dog.

Our heroine returns to the world above. The stage and its costumed dancers are a vivid peony-red. The wedding procession is accompanied by triumphal music. Peony petals fall from above onto the stage. They form a spectacular feast for the eyes at the finale. 

The audience’s ovation continued for a long while – especially in appreciation of the main performers.

A few red peony petals remained in front of the curtains on stage at the end - lingering reminders of a memorable performance and spectacle.

Karen Andrews is a freelance French to English translator, transcreator, content writer and editor. She has a strong background in marketing and project management.

Email Karen for further information via karenanglicityen@gmail.com in French, German or English.

Christmas Spectacle at Kew Gardens

The Christmas Light Trail at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew is spectacular. There is always another dazzling surprise ahead. Christmas at Kew has something to please all ages. 

Talking Christmas trees welcome you at the entrance.

The selective depiction of a well-known Christmas song was stunning. You can see the partridge in a pear tree with three French hens above. The Twelve Days of Christmas played as you admired the circles of lit torches. The torch fires were maintained with great attention.

Everyone stopped, stared, listened and admired the musical, tunnel of light. 

The candle lanterns glowed against the black, night sky.

Kew's Hive was transformed. The star of the 2015 Milan Expo now resembled a UFO...

... especially if you stood underneath the humming structure...

The botanical gardens appeared to have acquired some otherworldly plants too.

Long-standing residents were also bathed in a brand new coat of colourful light - including Kew's ancient pagoda tree believed to date back to 1760.

Kew's trees looked amazing even bathed in white light. I loved eerie quality of the tangled branches below. The permanent tree residents were very much part of the spectacular night-time show.

Kew's iconic palm house provided a spectacular finale. A light and laser show amazed the gathered audience. Familiar Christmas songs played out in the night air. The majestic Palm House displayed her colourful dance of light. It reflected right across the lake. Christmas presents, snowflakes and decorations twirled along her familiar glass structure. Beams of light searched out across the lake and up into the night sky.

Kew's iconic Palm House in her Christmas red and green colours

I haven't given away all the remarkable surprises. I doubt that you will find a better Christmas light display anywhere this year. Christmas at Kew is quite simply a must-see for all.

Links:

Christmas at Kew 

Twelve Days of Christmas

Karen Andrews is a freelance French to English translator/transcreator, content writer and editor. She has a strong background in marketing and project management.

Email Karen for further information via karenanglicityen@gmail.com in French, German or English