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Home , Aramis, Athos (character), Kean (play), Ken Ludwig, Porthos, The Corsican Brothers

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE : Know-the-Show Guide

Ken Ludwig’s

Know-the-Show Audience Guide researched and written by the Education Department of

Artwork by Scott McKowen The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide

In this Guide

– The Three Musketeers: An Introduction...... 2 – The Life of ...... 4 – Ken Ludwig, Adapter...... 6 – The Three Musketeers: A Short Synopsis...... 7 – Who’s Who in the Play...... 8 – Musketeers Through the Ages...... 9 – Commentary & Criticism...... 10 – In This Production...... 11 – Explore Online...... 12

“Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

The Three Musketeers is sponsored in part by

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ARTISTIC LICENSE: FROM PAGE TO STAGE Pierre Rouge. The Three The title “I want the audience to come out feeling attracted me; I exhilarated. I want them to feel that they’ve took them home taken part in one of the great stories of all Musketeers: with me, with time — that they’ve laughed, been frightened, the permission cried — felt a part of this magnificent world An Introduction of the guardian, Dumas created; and I want them to feel that The following comes from Alexandre Dumas’ preface to the first and devoured they enjoyed every second of it.” installment of The Three Musketeers when it appeared in serial form them. — Ken Ludwig, playwright and adapter in the newspaper Le Siècle in March of 1844. Though Dumas had actually been inspired by a biography of the real-life d’Artagnan, It is not my Ludwig certainly takes a artistic license in his much of the rest of this introduction is a fiction designed to excite his intention here retelling of Dumas’ classic. He ventures away from readers’ appetite for the tale to come. to enter into an the original as he explores the sense of romantic analysis of this adventure in Dumas’ story making a piece that “AUTHOR’S PREFACE in which curious work; is uniquely his own. One of the most notable it is proved that, notwithstanding and I shall satisfy changes Ludwig makes is the addition of Sabine, their names’ ending in OS and IS, myself with D’Artagnan’s younger sister. Keep an eye out for the heroes of the story which we referring such of other alterations that appear in the play. are about to have the honor to my readers as relate to our readers have nothing appreciate the mythological about them. pictures of the period to its pages. They will therein find portraits penciled by the hand A short time ago, while making of a master; and although these squibs may be, for the most part, traced researches in the Royal Library for upon the doors of barracks and the walls of cabarets, they will not find my History of Louis XIV, I stumbled the likenesses of Louis XIII, , Richelieu, Mazarin, and the by chance upon the Memoirs of courtiers of the period, less faithful than in the history of M. Anquetil. ... M. d’Artagnan, printed­—as were most of the works of that period, in D’Artagnan relates that on his first visit to M. de Treville, Captain of the which authors could not tell the truth King’s musketeers, he met in the antechamber three young men, serving without the risk of a residence... in the illustrious corps into which he was soliciting the honor of being Illustration of Alexandre Dumas by received, bearing the names of , , and . Maurice Leloir (1851-1940) in a in the — at Amsterdam, by woodgraving by Jules Huyot, 1894. 2 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide

We must confess these three strange names struck us; and it admission to the Académie Française with our own proper pack. This immediately occurred to us that they were but pseudonyms, under permission, we feel bound to say, was graciously granted; which compels which d’Artagnan had disguised names perhaps illustrious, or else that us here to give a public contradiction to the slanderers who pretend that the bearers of these borrowed names had themselves chosen them on we live under a government but moderately indulgent to men of letters. the day in which, from caprice, discontent, or want of fortune, they had donned the simple ’s uniform. Now, this is the first part of this precious manuscript which we offer to our readers, restoring it to the title which belongs to it, and entering into From that moment we had no rest till we could find some trace in an engagement that if (of which we have no doubt) this first part should contemporary works of these extraordinary names which had so obtain the success it strongly awakened our curiosity. merits, we will publish the STEALING FROM AN second immediately. IMAGINARY WRITER? The catalogue alone of the books we read with this object would fill a whole chapter, which, although it might be very instructive, would In the meanwhile, as the “What Dumas alludes to in the certainly afford our readers but little amusement....we at length godfather is a second last line of the preface—when found, guided by the counsels of our illustrious friend Paulin , a father, we beg the reader he says to blame Dumas—is the manuscript in folio...having for title, Memoirs of the Comte de la Fere, to lay to our account, and Comte de la Fere memoirs, which Touching Some Events Which Passed in Toward the End of the not to that of the Comte Reign of King Louis XIII and the Commencement of the Reign of King de la Fere, the pleasure are not real. The Comte de la Fere, Louis XIV. or the ennui he may known to readers for most of the experience. book as Athos, is the invention of It may be easily imagined how great was our joy when, in turning over Dumas, as is the nonexistent folio this manuscript, our last hope, we found at the twentieth page the name This being understood, found in the library. That did not of Athos, at the twenty-seventh the name of Porthos, and at the thirty- let us proceed with our stop readers from trying to find the first the name of Aramis. history.” memoirs in the stacks, and Dumas, with his appreciation of the absurd, The discovery of a completely unknown manuscript at a period in which historical science is carried to such a high degree appeared even went to find it himself after almost miraculous. We hastened, therefore, to obtain permission to receiving an irate letter accusing print it, with the view of presenting ourselves someday with the pack of him of stealing the content word others at the doors of the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, if for word.” we should not succeed — a very probable thing, by the by — in gaining from CourseHero.com 3 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide

age, including his friend and rival (The Hunchback of Notre The Life of Dame and Les Miserables).

Dumas was not wholly consumed with his work however, and was Alexandre Dumas reputed to be quite a rogue in his own right, living a life that echoed the Best known as the author of heroes he created on the page. He fathered an illegitimate son during an two popular works, The Count affair with a dressmaker in 1824, and was known to have romantic trysts of Monte Cristo and The Three with many young actresses. Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas In 1825, Dumas’ first play, The Chase and the Love, was presented and was born on July 24, 1802 in the it marked the start of a long and illustrious career in the theatre. Hugo small village of Villers-Cotterêts, and Dumas are credited with launching the Romantic Movement in just outside Paris. His father, France, which pushed aside the Neoclassic works that were prevalent a son of a Haitian slave and a on the stages of Paris at the time. In 1827, Dumas’ third play, Henry III marquis, served as a general in and his Court, was performed at the Comédie-Française to tremendous Napoleon’s army. His father acclaim. With this work, the uneducated and relatively unknown 26 was imprisoned, however, for year old Dumas became a sensation. His other popular works at the criticizing Napoleon’s campaign time included The Tower of Nesle, , and Anthony. By 1843, he had in Egypt, and he died shortly written fifteen plays. after being released in 1806, leaving his family with very little Photograph of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), During the 1830 Revolution, Dumas was a captain of the National ca. 1855. From the Museum of Fine Arts, financial support. Alexandre’s Guard and a very popular public figure despite (or possibly because of) Houston Collection. mother worked to provide his political activities at the time. In 1832, he was struck ill during a her son with a respectable cholera epidemic. His doctor advised him to leave Paris and to travel. education. Not partial to the formal education system, however, His journeys took him to Austria, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Alexandre left school and became a clerk for a local notary. and England, and became the subject of many of his essays, short stories, and novels in the years to come. In 1840, he married his mistress, an In 1822, Dumas left for Paris, where he found his passion in the actress known as Ida Ferrier — her real name was Marguerite-Joséphine literary world. A voracious reader, he quickly supplemented his Calais. They were divorced by 1846 after Dumas had spent all of her spotty education. His elegant penmanship assisted in securing him a considerable dowry. position as a scribe for the Duc d’Orleans (later King Louis Philippe). He enthusiastically explored the world of playwriting, learning from It was during this time that Dumas began writing his most famous and working alongside several of the top writers and playwrights of the work The Three Musketeers, the first of three books in what 4 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide

became known as the d’Artagnan Romances. The other two books were Twenty Years SELECTED WORKS BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS After and The Vicomte of Braglonne: Ten Years Later, which was divided into separate -Captain Paul (1838), his first serial novel. novels, including The Man in . This series along with The Count of Monte -The Nutcracker (1844), a revision of Hoffmann’s story Cristo solidified Dumas’ position as one of the greatest writers of the 19th century. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, later set to music by composer Tchaikovsky as the now-famous Famous and financially secure, Dumas built his own private getaway outside Paris and ballet. dubbed it the Château de Monte Cristo. He also established the Théâtre Historique which - (1844) presented a history play — often one of his own — every evening. Despite the outward -The Count of Monte Cristo (1844–1846) appearance of success, lavish entertaining and unbridled spending soon forced Dumas to -The Pale Lady (1849), a vampire tale about a Polish sell his home and to travel in order to avoid his creditors. woman who is adored by two very different brothers. - (1857), one of the first werewolf novels While in Brussels, he continued to write and published many works including the Volois ever written. Romances and his memoirs. When he eventually -The Prince of Thieves (1872, posthumously), about returned to Paris, he founded le Mousquetaire, a ; the inspiration for the 1948 film The daily paper, but it folded by 1857. The remainder Prince of Thieves. of his life included travels to Russia and Italy, military maneuvers in Giuseppe Garibaldi’s Dumas wrote several novel series, including: Red Shirt forces, and overseeing the museums -The d’Artagnan Romances: in Naples. He also wrote unceasingly, penning -The Three Musketeers historic volumes as well as novels. - -Ten Years Later (includes The ) His scandalous ways continued until his death. -The Valois Romances, seven novels following the royals By the time he died, he was said to have had over -The Marie Antoinette Romances, eight novels 40 mistresses and fathered at least seven children (only three legitimate). He died penniless at his Dumas’ numerous travel books included: son’s villa near Dieppe, France on December 5, -A Year in Florence (1841) 1870. His remains were moved in 2002 to the -Adventures in Czarist Russia, or From Paris to Astrakhan Panthéon in Paris, and they now lie amidst the (1858) remains of other literary greats including Victor Hugo. Great Dictionary of Cuisine Drawing of Alexandre Dumas by André Gill His (part encyclopedia, part for the cover of LA LUNA, December 1866, cookbook) was published posthumously in 1873. University of Heidelberg. 5 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide

About the Playwright: Comedy, premiered last season at The McCarter Theater in Princeton and The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.

His newest plays are Moriarty and Dear Jack, Dear Louise, which will Ken Ludwig premiere this fall at . On Broadway and the West End, his Ken Ludwig is a two-time Olivier plays have starred , , , Lynn Award-winning playwright who has Redgrave, , and Kristen Bell. written over 28 plays and musicals, including six shows on Broadway and He holds degrees from Harvard, where he studied music with Leonard seven in London’s West End. His first Bernstein, and Cambridge University. His work has been performed Broadway play, , won in over 30 countries in more than 20 languages, and is produced two and was called “one somewhere in the United States every night of the year. of the classic comedies of the 20th www.kenludwig.com century” by The Washington Post. His other awards include the SELECTED WORKS OF KEN LUDWIG Award, the 2017 Samuel French Award for Sustained Excellence in the LEND ME A TENOR, 1986 (Tony Award Nominee for Best Play) American Theatre, the Edgar Award , 1992 (Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical) Photo of Ken Ludwig by Leslie Cashen for Best Mystery of the Year, and the , 1995 from kenludwig.com. Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, 2001 to the American Theater. His book , 2004 How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin/ THE THREE MUSKETEERS, 2006 (commissioned by the Bristol Old Vic) Random House, won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of TREASURE ISLAND, 2009 (AATE Distinguished Play Award, Best Adaptation) the Year, and his essays have been published by the Yale Review. BASKERVILLE, 2015 A COMEDY OF TENORS, 2016 Ken’s best known works include Crazy For You (five years on Broadway, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, 2018 Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical), Lend Me A Tenor, Moon THE GODS OF COMEDY, 2019 Over Buffalo, The Game’s Afoot, Baskerville, Sherwood, A Fox on the Fairway, A Comedy of Tenors, and a stage version of Murder on the and be sure to check out Ken Ludwig’s book Orient Express, written expressly at the request of the Agatha Christie HOW TO TEACH SHAKESPEARE TO CHILDREN Estate, which opened in the West End in 2018. His play, The Gods of 6 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide Ken Ludwig’s

The Three Illustration of The Three Musketeers by Maurice Leloir (1851-1940) in a wood-graving by Jules Musketeers: Huyot, from the Appleton A Short Synopsis edition, 1893. This adaptation, which was commissioned by the Bristol Old Vic in “AUTHOR! England, is based on the timeless by Alexandre Dumas, a AUTHOR!” tale of heroism, treachery, close escapes and above all, honor.

Since it was first The story, set in 1625, begins with d’Artagnan, a young Frenchman published in from , who sets off for Paris in search of adventure. Along with 1844, The Three d’Artagnan goes Sabine, his sister, the quintessential tomboy. Sent with Musketeers has d’Artagnan to attend a convent school in Paris, she poses as a young been adapted man — d’Artagnan’s servant — and quickly becomes entangled in her numerous times brother’s adventures. for the stage, film, operas, and dance. It is interesting to note, however, that the first Soon after reaching Paris, d’Artagnan encounters the greatest heroes of adaptations of the novel actually came from the writer himself! the day — Athos, Porthos and Aramis — the famous musketeers. After blundering into each of them in turn, and challenging them to duels Alexandre Dumas was already a successful playwright by the time on the same night, d’Artagnan joins forces with his heroes to defend he penned his most famous work, so it seemed quite natural for the honor of the Queen of France. In so doing, he finds himself in him to reimagine his novel for the theatre. Always with a mind for opposition to the most dangerous man in Europe, , as capitalizing on a good thing, Dumas actually adapted his novel into well as his henchman, Rochefort, Captain of the Cardinal’s Guard. Even three stage plays: , which centers on the last portion more deadly is the infamous Countess de Winter, known as Milady, who of the novel; The Young Musketeers, which is most similar to the will stop at nothing to revenge herself on d’Artagnan — and Sabine — story that appears on stage and screen today; and The Three for their meddlesome behavior. Little does Milady know that the young Musketeers, which combined elements of the previous two. girl she scorns, Sabine, will ultimately save the day. (Introduction from KenLudwig.com) 7 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide

Rendering for the traveling montage by Brian Prather, scenic designer, ©2019.

Who’s Who CARDINAL RICHELIEU (RISH-uh-loo) – Seeking in the Play power and riches, he secretly conspires against the king and queen. He is an enemy of the musketeers. D’ARTAGNAN (dar-TAN-yun) – Raised in the French province of Gascony, “Those reprobates, those interfering at 18 he is sent by his father to join the musketeers. He is brave and an overstuffed vermin!...I really hate them.” excellent swordsman, but also cocky, impulsive, and naive. “I’ve come for an interview, sir. To be a musketeer...I’m good with a ROCHEFORT (ROESH-fort) – Henchman to the sword...I’ve never shot a musket myself but I bet you I’d be good with Cardinal, Captain of the Cardinal’s guard. one if I tried it. Which I haven’t. But I would be. You’d be amazed.” “It was part of the plan, Your Grace... They were disguised that way in order to catch SABINE (suh-BEAN) – D’Artagnan’s younger sister, she is headstrong and the musketeers off guard.” determined to make her own way in the world. “You? Protect me? And why should you have all the fun? I’m as good MONSIEUR DE TREVILLE – Captain of the musketeers and friend to d’Artagnan’s a swordsman as you are any day of the week.” father. He is frequently annoyed by the tomfoolery of his musketeers. “My three greatest musketeers, bested by the Cardinal’s guards...do you ATHOS (AA-thoess) – Intelligent and courageous, he is the leader of the understand the humiliation I feel?” musketeers. His swordwork is precise and surgical. He is perhaps the greatest swordsman in all of France. Formerly married to Milady. MILADY, THE COUNTESS DE WINTER – She is the most dangerous woman in “Gentlemen listen I propose a rule for our journey. If any of us falls all of France; cunning, strong, and ruthless. Formerly married to Athos. along the way, the others continue without him. Agreed?” “You should thank me for living, because I allow you to do it.”

PORTHOS (POOR-thoess) – One of the three musketeers, he is comic and KING LOUIS XIII – A simple-minded and ineffective ruler who frequently falls casually indifferent; bantering as he fights to distract his opponents and to prey to the Cardinal’s plots. amuse himself. “Keep your guards away from my musketeers, or you might find “Hurry, racing, always racing. Whatever happened to civility, eh? yourself with a little spaciousness in your own brain.” And a fair fight?” QUEEN ANNE – Married to Louis XIII; having an affair with the Duke of ARAMIS (AIR-uh-miss) – One of the three musketeers, he studied to become a Buckingham. priest. He is hot-tempered and romantic. His swordplay has flourishes that “How dare you! I am the Queen” pay tribute to the great heroes from the past. “I’m willing to bet this mission’s going to be more dangerous CONSTANCE BONCIEUX – Servant to the Queen; d’Artagnan’s love interest. than we thought.” “I have nothing to say. I only wanted to thank you for saving my life. It was very brave.” 8 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide

THE THREE MUSKETEERS ON THE SMALL SCREEN: •BBC America ran a three- season series based on Dumas’ Musketeers tale, which ran from 2014-16. Through the Ages Episodes can be found at http:// THE THREE MUSKETEERS ON FILM: www.bbcamerica.com/shows/ the-musketeers/season-1 •The 1921 silent film version starred as d’Artagnan. The •In 2014, South Korean film originally had scenes filmed in the Handschiegl Color Process, which Television launched a hand-colored small portions of the 12-episode series loosely based black and white film. on The Three Musketeers. The series follows three Joseon-era •The star-studded 1948 film adventurers who serve Crown featured Gene Kelly as the impulsive Prince Sohyeon as his warrior d’Artagnan, Lana Turner as a guards. Episodes are available captivating Milady, Vincent Price as Cardinal Richelieu, and Angela on-line. Lansbury as Queen Anne. THE THREE MUSKETEERS ON STAGE: •Kansas City Ballet •Walt Disney Pictures’ 1993 screen (pictured left) and Northern adaptation included Keifer Sutherland, Ballet (England and Charlie Sheen, and Oliver Platt as Wales) have both staged the musketeers and a young Chris captivating adaptations of O’Donnell as d’Artagnan. The Three Musketeers in •Disney’s animated film (2004) recent years. featured Mickey, Donald, and Goofy as the famous trio. •The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s “biff-bang-pow •The 2011 film adaptation, featuring production” (2017) focused as Milady, was highly on the “extroverted and praised for its striking visuals and fast- paced action sequences, but criticized humorous side” of Dumas’ for a weak script and poor direction. novel. 9 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2019 THE THREE MUSKETEERS: Know-the-Show Guide Commentary QUOTING DUMAS’ Criticism THE THREE MUSKETEERS & “All for one and one for all.” ABOUT KEN LUDWIG’S STAGE ADAPTATION OF “Never fear quarrels, but seek hazardous adventures.” THE THREE MUSKETEERS: “You are very amiable, no doubt, but you would be “[A] slick, swashbuckling romp that cleverly updates the Dumas charming if you would only depart.” novel...Ken Ludwig’s new version of the story simply refreshes it, distilling its energy and strengthening its timeless appeal.” “Love is the most selfish of all the passions.” The Guardian, 2006 “The merit of all things lies in their difficulty.” “Ludwig tells a pacy tale with a suitable seasonal mix of “All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the merriment, musketeering, romance and the most gruesome stage mask may be, with a little attention we may always death I’ve seen this year.” succeed in distinguishing it from the true face.” The Mail on Sunday, 2006 “I do not cling to life sufficiently to fear death.” “Four stars out of four. Bristol Old Vic’s spectacular new production certainly lives up to its swashbuckling billing. [It’s] a “There is no friendship that cares about an overheard mixture of love, adventure and good old-fashioned values.” secret.” Bristol Metro, 2006 “Besides we are men, and after all it is our business to risk our lives.”

“It is only the dead who do not return.”

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In this Production Costume renderings by Brian Russman and scenic rendering by Brian Prather for Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers, ©2019.

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Explore Online

A collection of Dumas’ collected writings, a short biography of the man, and a smattering of some of his more famous quotations can be found at: http://www.alexandredumasworks.com

Selections from the Rahvusooper Estonia (Estonian National Opera) production of The Three Musketeers: a ballet by David Nixon set to the music by Malcolm Arnold, March 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Szxucn0v8

More information about the playwright, Ken Ludwig, can be found on his website. http://www.kenludwig.com

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