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Un panteau by Nicki Russell and Keeley Smith
Young Charles de Batz de Castelmore d’Artagnan A’soul dreams of fame and glory as one of the King’s musketeers. But he is a country boy, miles from Paris, who has to work on the family garlic farm with his mother, Chantel A’Soul.
Out of the blue, a solicitor arrives with a bequest: a distant relative has left Charlie a sword and a pair of walking boots. The solicitor is an unlikely dueler and teaches young Charlie that sword fighting is not just about wielding a weapon but also about fighting talk.
Seeing this as a sign, Charlie resolves to go to Paris and fulfil his dream. Chantel follows him.
In Paris, we learn about the Musketeer training camp, and Charlie meets the love of his life, Constance, a lady in waiting to the Queen. Charlie becomes a friend to the three Musketeers, Aramis, Kouros and Paco Rabanne, as well as Captain of the Musketeers, the fatherly Treville.
But all is not well in the country of France. Our heroes uncover a dastardly plot by the Evil Cardinal Lionel Richloux to seize power from the spoilt King and his powerful mother, the Queen.
The Cardinal and his aides, the scheming Milady de Garden, and cheesy-footed Roquefort, who is Captain of the Guards, cook up a plot lock up the Queen and to trick hapless English Lord Buckingham into exiling the King.
Charlie, Constance, Chantel and the Musketeers have many adventures in their attempts to thwart the evil plots, including escaping a never-ending spa break, disguising themselves as Christmas presents, getting attacked on the Forest de Ashdown by some mini bandits, and singing songs to keep their spirits up.
One thing is certain: good triumphs over evil, there are many sword fights, and it all ends the way it started, with a song! All for one! And one for all!
Song tracks (panto versions) can be accessed here (subject to minor changes, particularly lyrics of Love Shack and Lady Marmalade)
SCENE 1.1 A Garlic farm in Montargis France (full stage)
SONG: Ensemble opening number: Love Shack (Clove Shack)
SCENE 1.2 - Dame Monologue (full stage)
SCENE 1.3 Crossed Swords (full stage)
SCENE 2 - A discreet location in Paris. Baddies part 1 (Apron)
SCENE 3: The Mateus Rose Pub, Paris (half stage)
Song: Oom pa-pa
SCENE 4: Another discrete location in Paris - Baddies part 2 (Apron)
SCENE 5.1: The Market Place (full stage)
SCENE 5.2 - Enter Dame (full stage)
SCENE 6: Love scene (full stage -> apron)
Song: Never Ending Story
SCENE 7 - JUNIORS - Training camp (half stage)
SCENE 8: Palace (full stage)
Song: Oh la la - Goldfrappe
Song: Busy Doing Nothing
INTERVAL
SCENE 9 - Cardinal’s Party at the Palace (full stage)
Song: Lady Marmalade
SCENE 9.1 Travel to the castle (apron)
SCENE 10 - Castle Boit (Spa) (half stage)
Song: 12 Days of Christmas
SCENE 10.1 Travel to the forest (apron)
SCENE 11 - Forest de Ashdown (full stage)
SCENE 12 - Bench scene (apron)
Song: When the saints
SCENE 14 - JUNIORS - Bandits have captured the King (full stage)
SCENE 15 - Song sheet (apron)
SCENE 16 - Denouement at the Palace (full stage)
Song - We are Family