Duncan dares to turn his hand to comedy

EVERYONE loves a good belly laugh — and luckily there’s a brand new comedy coming to the Kenton Theatre that fits the bill perfectly, writes Tei Williams.

Written by Ian McFarlane, who wrote and directed the New Street theatre’s hugely successful Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas pantomime, The Three Musketeers is playing from September 1 to 17.

Former Blue Peter and Duncan Dares presenter Peter Duncan heads up a quality cast for this play — subtitled All for One and Every Man for Himself! — which will see the four principals play 27 different roles between them.

Full of innuendo, with fast-moving dialogue and puns aplenty, the production probably has more jokes than it is healthy to experience in the space of two hours.

It’s September 1942. There has been a theatrical disaster, it’s time for curtain up and the majority of the actors, set props and costumes have not made it to the theatre.



Aubrey Everett (Duncan) tells the audience the show can’t go on. But he swiftly changes his mind when he discovers that there is a man who has the power to change his career sitting in the audience — the prolific film producer Arnold St Arnold.

So he mobilises the only three actors he has at his disposal to refashion his epic, swashbuckling retelling of The Three Musketeers using only the props they can find in the theatre. Chaos ensues, but the show must go on!

Producer Oli Seadon, who also worked on Jack and the Beanstalk, said he was looking forward to being back at the Kenton, adding: “It’s such a brilliant venue for comedy — the audience is so close to the action. Peter Duncan’s style is embedded in variety and vaudeville — I’m thrilled he’s joining us.”

Showtime is 7.30pm, with Saturday matinées being staged at 2.30pm on September 3, 10 and 17.

Tickets can be booked at www.kentontheatre.co.uk or by calling (01491) 575698.

The box office is open to callers in person from 11am to 3pm on weekdays and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.