All for One and One for All by Stewart Auty

Running time approx. 60mins.
This is the story of The Three Musketeers – but not, perhaps, recognisable to Alexandre Dumas! (Listen, if TV writers can mess about with the original story, then we can too.) D’Artagnan wants to leave the farm and become a Musketeer like his dad used to be. So far so good. And he does, eventually, meet up with Aramis, Athos and Porthos but, on the way, he gets his letter of introduction and the family sword stolen – so he doesn’t actually get accepted into the Musketeers! However, that doesn’t stop him and his three new friends from becoming involved in protecting the Queen of France and her secret English lover from the villains who want to see her locked away in a dungeon forever. This is an amusing and energetic romp through this classic story.

21 SPEAKING PARTS. UNLIMITED NON-SPEAKING BUT SINGING.

Suggested songs:

  • I Love Paris (Frank Sinatra)
  • The One and Only (Chesney Hawkes)
  • Thank You For Being A Friend (Andrew Gold)
  • Every Breath You Take (The Police)
  • I Can Help (Billy Swann)
  • Everybody Hurts (Billy Swann/Helping Haiti)
  • The Time Warp (The Rocky Horror Show)
  • Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)

Our scripts provide links to backing tracks for the songs, which can be purchased and downloaded for a very modest fee. Our scripts also give full production notes regarding sets, costumes and props.

NO ROYALTIES, PHOTOCOPYING LICENCE INCLUDED.

Here’s a sample

PART OF SCENE 2…

A roadside inn on the way to Paris.(SEE PRODUCTION NOTES)
Enter D’ARTAGNAN. He has a bag on a stick over his shoulder.
D’ARTAGNAN
Paris is further than I thought! Luckily, there’s an inn here. I can rest and take some refreshment.(D’ARTAGNAN enters inn, which is noisy, and suddenly quietens)INNKEEPER
Well, what have we here? Looks like a stranger, lads, so we’d better show him some real hospitality.
CONSTANCE
Now don’t be too hard on him. He’s very young.
INNKEEPER
Old enough to be out on his own, all by himself. Welcome, young man. Now lads, let’s show him how kind we are, know what I mean? Make way for the young gentleman!
COMTE DE ROCHEFORT (Slimy)
Here, come sit on this stool beside me. Allow me to introduce myself. (Bows and offers his hand) The Comte de Rochefort at your service.
D’ARTAGNAN
Rochefort? Isn’t that some kind of cheese?
COMTE DE ROCHEFORT
You mock me, Sir? And you a stranger in these parts? You want to be careful! Do you know who I am?

D’ARTAGNAN
I hope you will take no offence. Where I come from, a mild insult should be taken as a compliment!
COMTE DE ROCHEFORT
And where might that be? You’re not from round here. I can tell that.
D’ARTAGNAN
I’m from Gascony.
INNKEEPER
Well that explains everything! Here lads, listen to this! Our visitor is from Gascony!

(Much laughter in the inn)

CONSTANCE
He’s our visitor! We should show him respect, not mockery!
COMTE DE ROCHEFORT
Quite right, Constance. So, young man, what are you doing? Where are you going?
D’ARTAGNAN
I’m on my way to Paris. I’m going to be a musketeer. (Swishing sword) I’m here, I’m there, I’m everywhere, so beware!
COMTE DE ROCHEFORT
A musketeer eh?
D’ARTAGNAN
I have a letter of introduction (Waves letter)
COMTE DE ROCHEFORT (Snatches letter)
Let me see that!
D’ARTAGNAN
No! Give it back! It’s private!

(Scuffle ensues. D’ARTAGNAN is pushed around by a group of customers and finally knocked to the ground. ROCHEFORT and friends disappear along with letter, and D’ARTAGNAN is robbed of most of his money and possessions, including the sword.)

D’ARTAGNAN (From the floor)
Hey! Come back! Help! I’ve been robbed!
CONSTANCE
Are you all right? That was horrible! Let me help you up. I hope you’re not hurt.
D’ARTAGNAN
Only my pride! That man, Rochefort! He’s taken my letter! It’s important. And my sword! That’s gone too!
INNKEEPER
I’m sorry about that. But it was your own fault. You did upset him. You’ll have to continue without it.
D’ARTAGNAN
Did you know him? He looked like a regular here.
INNKEEPER
He comes in now and again.
CONSTANCE
Oh, yes, we know him. Rochefort is on the staff of Cardinal Richelieu. He’s bad news. You’ve had a lucky escape really. Best keep away from him, and the Red Guards.
INNKEEPER
After the King, the Cardinal is probably the most powerful man in France.
D’ARTAGNAN
I will go after him. I think he’s heading for Paris too. I need that letter, and I will take my sword back, by force if I need to.

INNKEEPER
You would be well advised to keep well away. But I can see you’re an impetuous man, so all I will say is ‘take care’. If ever you meet the Comte de Rochefort again, be on your guard.
D’ARTAGNAN
It’s for him to look out for me! I’m going to be a musketeer! (Swishing imaginary sword) I’m here, I’m there, I’m everywhere – so beware!
CONSTANCE
That would look more impressive if you actually had a sword.
D’ARTAGNAN
I’ll get it back. He’d better look out, that Rochefort! I’m on the case now.
CONSTANCE
We wish you a safe journey. Take care now, young man. You do not know what lies ahead.
D’ARTAGNAN
You have been so kind, and I don’t even know your name.
CONSTANCE
Well, my name is Constance.
D’ARTAGNAN
Pleased to make your acquaintance, Constance. I look forward to meeting you again sometime.

PART OF SCENE 4…

D’ARTAGNAN (To audience)
I should explain how things have moved on since we last met. I’ve found lodgings near Paris, in that inn where my sword was stolen. Remember? Oh, come on! You must remember Constance, at least. And I have hired a servant called Planchet. Here he is now.
PLANCHET (To audience)
Pleased to make your acquaintance. My master here takes some looking after. He’s a bit of a lad! A bit of a liability!
D’ARTAGNAN
You make out that I’m always in trouble.
PLANCHET (To audience again)
He’s always getting into scrapes, arguing and upsetting people. But you’ve known him a lot longer than I have, so you know what he’s like!
D’ARTAGNAN
I also met Constance again, the girl at the tavern. Here she is now. I think I’m quite taken with her.
PLANCHET
See what I mean! Only been in Paris for five minutes and already involved with a girl!

(Enter CONSTANCE)

D’ARTAGNAN
Besides working in the inn, Constance also works in the Palace, as the special maid servant for Queen Ann, King Louis XIII’s Consort.
PLANCHET
Two jobs! Wow!

CONSTANCE
What can I say? I need the money. And I like looking after the Queen.
PLANCHET
Queen Ann is not happy. Her husband, the King is a weak and horrible man.
CONSTANCE
Sorry – who are you?
D’ARTAGNAN
Constance, this is my new servant, Planchet.

(PLANCHET bows to CONSTANCE)

PLANCHET
Pleased to meet you, Constance.
CONSTANCE
Likewise, I’m sure – and I agree with you, Planchet. I think the Queen is wonderful, and she deserves a better husband.
D’ARTAGNAN
Which is why Constance and I have helped the Duke of Buckingham to have secret meetings with the Queen! The Duke is truly in love with the Queen.
PLANCHET
But, D’Artagnan! If the King found out, you would be clapped in prison! Risky business!
CONSTANCE
But she’s a lovely lady, and so much in love. You can see the two of them over there now.

(Enter DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM and the QUEEN)

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
My love for you is unquestioned. My skies are always blue when I’m with you.
QUEEN
Even on a rainy day?
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
Of course. It’s called blue sky thinking!
QUEEN
But you know we cannot be together. It is madness!
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
It might be impossible, but I love you so much.
QUEEN
If anyone was to see us together, and tell my husband, we would both be in grave danger. He’s the King you know.
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
Yes, I know he is the king! We could lose our lives, or worse!
QUEEN
And worse would be terrible! We could be tortured! And I did say grave danger!
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
I’m not into pain, especially given by someone with imagination.
QUEEN
It will be hard to live without you! But I cannot risk everything for your love.
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
If we cannot be together, then I must leave France. But I leave you knowing I will love you forever.
QUEEN
I want to give you something. A gift, so you will always remember me.