A rag-tag theater company is in financial trouble. (Aren’t they all?) The cast realizes that they must sacrifice a character to save one salary in their upcoming play “The Three Musketeers.” Porthos gets the axe and the play becomes “The Two Musketeers” now making its world premiere at the Hippodrome State Theater in Gainesville.
To make things more interesting, cast does not have a script that could condense the Alexandre Dumas’ 494-page masterpiece into a 90-minute work of art. The comedy is exactly this dilemma. Regardless, they hectically forge ahead, each of the six actors taking multiple roles of King Louis XIII, Duke of Buckingham, Cardinal Richelieu, Milady, and Queen Anne and, of course, Athos, Aramis, and D’Artagnan.
A clothes line hangs from the two permanent pillars on stage. A myriad of costume pieces hang on the line and the actors snatch off swaths as they change characters. Upstage of the line is a scattering of props and furniture which the actors move as they swoop around.
Sword fighting soars above the chaos as the best of all the action. Tiza Garland is not only an actor, but also is the Fight Director. Her brilliant staging of all six in foil fencing at once is the highlight of the play.
David Patrick Ford is amazing in the lead role of D’Artagnan. He has and maintains the high youthful energy necessary to carry this part.
Hats off to new comer Caitland Hargraves for doing everything right. She was recruited from NYC and in her comment (during the Q and A after the matinee on the second Sunday) is pleased to be on stage in warm, sunny Gainesville, Florida. Others in the cast are Matthew Lindsay, Michael Stewart Allen, and Nick Clark Tanner.
“The 39 Steps” is the closes comparable play to playwright Jon Jory’s rapid fire comedy. The show might come too fast to keep up with the character changes. To really be able to follow the action at The Hipp, dust off your college Cliff Notes. (None of the 4 movies are worth watching.)
“The Two Musketeers” runs through May 3. For more photos and other information, visit their Web Site at www.thehipp.org.
Jack Petro reviews local theater for Villages-News.com
