Michael Geary – Contributor 

This Nov. 12-16, Turner Studio Theatre opened and closed the Fall Drama production “The Musketeers.” The show was directed and adapted by Affair of Honor’s Nathania Bernabe and Jackie T. Hanlin, who previously directed “She Kills Monsters” in Centennial in 2023. Keeping to their company’s mission, “The Musketeers” offered dazzling stage combat alongside a fresh take on the famed work of Alexandre Dumas that put women in the spotlight roles and offered a comedic edge to each slash of the sword. Alongside a brilliant set and beautiful costumes, it is no wonder the show managed to sell out night after night!

Image courtesy of Nathania Bernabe

Among the show’s many strengths, “The Musketeers” stands out among many other Bishop’s Drama productions as a true ensemble piece. Almost every actor, excluding those portraying the “three musketeers” themselves (Porthos, Athos and Aramis) was wearing multiple hats, both literally and figuratively! In larger scenes, the whole cast made an appearance at one point or another, and in some cases played multiple roles in those scenes while juggling both fight and dance choreography. “This experience has been one of the best shows I have had the honour of partaking in,” said Kate Raycraft, a second-year Drama student with a concentration in Musical Theatre. She had the chance to portray D’Artagnan while taking part in the ensemble. “It was my first leading role, which obviously came with quite a bit of stress, but I knew I had so much support behind me to ensure I did the best I could. Jackie and Nathania were sure to support and give me tips on how to do the best I could.” She found that the environment of the show helped her find acceptance in failure and her own ability and was thrilled to share the end result with the Bishop’s community. “This was only my fourth show on the Turner stage and is the first time I’ve performed to a sold-out audience at Bishop’s. It was really exciting and cool to know that I was a part of something that had that much of an impact.”

A chief experience provided by “The Musketeers” was the intense focus on stage combat. From flashy swordfights to barroom brawls, physical action was never more than a scene or two away. Directors Jackie and Nathania encouraged a sense of play among the cast while working on making sure all fights were safe, creating a magnificent spectacle that had audiences on the edge of their seats.  Thanks to her leading role, Kate experienced many of the more complex choreographies firsthand. “Taking on a new skill such as stage combat was daunting at first, but was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done… I found the stage combat aspect left me with such a sense of ‘Wow, my body can do these things’ that I will never forget.” 

Due to the physical demands and timeline of the production, the students involved were thrown into a production much more akin to the professional experience than what is usually conducted at Bishop’s. Romina Recalde, a fourth-year Music Major with a concentration in Musical Theatre and a Drama Minor, returned to the role of Stage Manager at Bishop’s for “The Musketeers” and found that while her past experience had armed her for the task, it was not the same. “Being the SM and a full-time student was a challenge. The production itself demanded way more rehearsal time and paperwork than previous productions. I learned a lot in the process.” Romina also found that working with a much larger technical crew offered a lot for her to learn from. “I learned to be gentle and generous with my knowledge in a way I can teach all of [the Assistant Stage Managers] while not falling into the chaos.”

With the curtain now down on a historic debut for Affair of Honor’s flagship run of “The Musketeers,” it is clear that the Bishop’s community is as passionate for the arts as ever. After a well-deserved holiday break, a number of the cast will return for the Winter musical, and we can only hope the buzz will keep going!