The talented actors and actresses of the cast of ‘The Three Musketeers’ succeeded in treating, tickling thrilling and enthralling audiences’ nation over as they brought life to the Lionel Wendt Stage on the 25th, 26th and 27th of January 2019. Following an immensely successful production of ‘Around the World in 80 days’ in 2016, the stakes and expectations of the public was held in high estate as the cast attempted to tackle Alexander Dumas’ timeless and much loved comedic classic. Alas! as time and reviews have justly shown the young cast of 43 ranging from ages 13 to 26 managed to put on nothing short of a stellar performance that will surely echo down the annals of time. Albeit witnessing a mere satisfactory crowd on the 1st performance day, positive word of mouth and reviews were quick to pack the Wendt on the 2nd and 3rd days.

The success story of the English Drama Society shared today, would not have been possible if not for the efforts of the “Mastermind behind the Masterpiece” – debuting director Ashiq Dole and the support of the Old Royalists’ Association of Dramatists (ORAD) lead by the beloved Thushara Hettihamu. It is no mean feat performing an adaption of a novel that shares the length and detail, depth of story and character as the Three Musketeers. It is in light of this and the fact of pulling off such a production in a mere 6 weeks that the ORAD, Ashiq Dole and those who worked in the shadows receive our heartiest applause.

The main female roles were taken up by a skilled group of actresses who earned their acting chops from Ladies’ College, Bishop’s College, Visakha Vidyalaya, and Lyceum International School, Wattala. These ladies were quick to assimilate to Royal Drama and contribute tremendously to the production. It was indeed a privilege to witness such an abundance of talent joining the fold.

The play itself as the Daily Mirror words rather eloquently is “Set in 17th century France, the plot followed the impassioned young D’artagnan’s journey to become a revered Musketeer at the King’s Service. D’artagnan’s journey took a few fortuitous twists: he unwittingly offended, and then befriended the rakish, debonair “inseparable three” (Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the three musketeers), fell in love with Constance, the Queen’s favorite lady-in-waiting and closest confidante, and helped the Queen save her honor. All this, while facing the intrigues that Cardinal Richelieu- aided by the Captain of his Guard, Rochefort and the ruthless Milady- devised in order to overthrow King Louis XIII and strengthen his own power”.

The passionate and energetic acting of the lead and ensemble cast together with meticulously crafted props, stage settings, costumes, lighting and music revived an epic tale that will continue to be loved generations over. The Three Musketeers was the culmination of the passion, talent and energy of the director, ORAD and the DramSoc, it was the crux of Royal theater and all the pleasant surprises she had in store for the beholder!

 

 Cast;

Pravin Jayasundere (Cast Leader), Imaadh Dole, Rishan Fazly, Vinsara Jayalath, Madara Thalduwa, Kalinda Abeyanayake, Yashanka De Zoysa, Nipun Kannangara, Dilshan Manathunga, Mihindu Samarasinghe, Kaif Sally, Sachin Tissera, Shalem Sumanthiran, Sakeena Razick, Nilushi Dewapura, Amaya Fernando, Akarsha Jirasinha, Chamya Liyanage, Theruni Galagedara, Maheli Sri Gintotage, Ravidu Bangala, Revata Karunasundera, Eashan Gallage, Ruchith Ranasinghe, Rusira Peiris, Abishek Herath, Jithnuka Samaraweera, Akeed Macan Markar, Khalid Shakir Azeez, Yehan Rajapaksa, Behan Wickramasekara, Rivi Wijesekara, Michael Wijeyawardhana, Ishva Ranasinghe, Janul De Silva, Lochana Atapattu, Teran Senevirathna, Thinula Tennakoon, Suchith Tissera, Raaidh Ismail, Abdullah Yoosuf, Randa Ranatunga, Nesara Kularatne