 THE THREE MUSKETEERS
A Romantic Musical Play in 2 Acts, 12 scenes. Music by Rudolf Friml; Lyrics by Clifford Grey and P.G. Wodehouse
Libretto by William Anthony McGuire, based on the novel by Alexandre
Dumas;
The Play staged by Felix EDWARDES
Dances arranged by Anatole BOURMAN; Ensemble arranged by Vladimir DOMANSKY
Lyric Theatre, Broadway - 13 March, 1928 (319 perfs)
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - 28 March, 1930
THE STORY
(Early 17th century France)
Athos, Porthos and Aramis, that redoubtable trio of King Louis XIII's
bodyguard, are enjoying their regular carousal at the Jolly Miller Inn.
They are joined by the penniless but virile Gascon D'Artagnan. His natural
resourcefulness is soon called upon, although not before he has fallen
in love with Constance Bonacieux. The trouble-making Cardinal Richelieu
has heard that the Queen has given England's Duke of Buckingham a token
of love, a diamond heart, which was a present from the King to her. Richelieu
persuades the King to insist on the Queen's wearing the jewel at a forthcoming
gala. Comte de Rochefort and Lady de Winter are sent to London to recover
the jewel and return it to Richelieu, who plans to produce it at the gala,
thus revealing to King Louis his wife's treachery. Meanwhile, the Queen
has sent Constance, her lady-in-waiting, to entreat the Musketeers to
recover the jewel in time for her to wear it and confound her enemies.
Upon arriving in London, the Musketeers find that Lady de Winter has already
gained possession of the jewel. While pretending to be her lover, D'Artagnan
snatches the jewel from her bosom. There is a hectic sword fight over
and around Milady's bed. When Comte de Rochefort enters he is slain and
the Musketeers hurry back to France. They are just in time to produce
the jewel at King Louis' demand so that he may fasten it at the Queen's
shoulder as he had done originally.
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Musical Numbers
ACT I
- OPENING CHORUS (Come, it's summer time)
- ENTRANCE OF MUSKETEERS (We're all for one)
- TRIO (Constance, Porthos and Aramis) " He for Me"
(I'm afraid I'll be a maid)
- ENTRANCE OF D'ARTAGNAN (Well, what's all the noise)
- RECIT. (Innkeeper and D'Artagnan) and CHORUS (And what do
you wish)
- DUET (Constance and D'Artagnan) " Heart of Mine"
(Heart of mine through shadow)
- SONG (D'Artagnan) AND CHORUS " My Sword and I" (To fight
for France)
- INCIDENTAL MUSIC
- CHORUS "Vesper Bell" (Vesper bell and shadows)
- SONG (Queen) "My Dreams" (Shadows that gather round)
IOA - FIGHT
- QUARTET (D'Artagnan, Athos,Aramis, Porthos) and CHORUS "March
of the Musketeers" (In days of yore)
- BALLET
- TRIO (Queen, Buckingham and Constance) "Love is the Sun"
(You ask me what is love)
- DUET (Constance and D'Artagnan) "Your Eyes" (Though
the road)
- INCIDENTAL MUSIC FOR KING'S ENTRANCE
- CHORUS "Welcome the Queen" (Welcome to Her Majesty)
- FINALE (You sent for me, Sire)
ACT II
- ENTR'ACTE
- OPENING CHORUS AND SONG (Porthos) and CHORUS (Fill up everybody,
drink)
- SPANISH DANCE
- INCIDENTAL MUSIC
- SONG (Aramis) and CHORUS "Ma Belle" (I used to
say)
- INCIDENTAL MUSIC AND CHORUS (Musketeers) (His sword will cleave
his way)
23A REPRISE (Musketeers) - "We are the Musketeers" (We
are the Musketeers)
- DUET (Constance and D'Artagnan) - "One Kiss" (One
kiss from you)
- ENSEMBLE (D'Artagnan) and CHORUS " My Sword"
(His sword will cleave)
- PAGES' DANCE
26A INCIDENTAL MUSIC
- SONG (Buckingham) "Queen of my Heart" (Here
in the night)
- SONG (Constance) " Ev'ry little while" (Though it
seems)
- 29A INCIDENTAL MUSIC
- FIGHT
30A CHANGE OF SCENE
- REPRISE "My Dreams" (My dreams like swallows)
- MINUET
- BALLET
- ENSEMBLE (Welcome to Her Majesty)
34A QUEEN'S ENTRANCE
- INCIDENTAL MUSIC
- 35A & 36 ENSEMBLE (We are the Musketeers)
- EXIT AND FINALE
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