Act Two - Ten Years Later

Song 14 : The Bastille - Orchestral    play >

Song 15

See the Light Philippe play >

Scene 11 - The Bastille, Paris

Aramis visits Philippe as his confessor. We establish that Aramis is now Bishop of Vannes. Aramis tells Philippe of his birthright and that he is brother to Louis XIV, the present King. Aramis pledges to exercise the release of Philippe and exchange Philippe with King Louis XIV.

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Song 16

In the Name of the King Chorus play >

Scene 12 - The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte

The royal fete is in progress in honour of the King. Members of court describe their true opinions of the King. D’Artagnan and Louis are discussing his new position as Captain of the Musketeers. D’Artagnan’s unwavering loyalty to the King is evident despite Louis’ selfish & cold demeanour. Porthos and Athos are reunited with their old friend during these festivities. Aramis meets the King to beg for the Pardon of prisoner Seldon and to get his signature to a lettre de cachet. D’Artagnan appears suspicious but leaves his old friend to complete his business. The Four Musketeers are reunited and reminisce on past days.

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Song 17

Bottled Up Aramis & Baisemeaux play >

Scene 13 - The Bastille, Paris

Aramis visits his old friend Baisemeaux now the governor of the Bastille for supper. Aramis indulges in excess of food and wine with the governor, but in fact cleverly remains sober throughout whilst rendering the governor more and more intoxicated. Aramis hands over the order for release for a prisoner by the name of Seldon. Aramis cleverly switches this order with a fake in the name of Philippe and the tipsy Baisemeaux unquestioningly releases Philippe into the care of Aramis.

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Scene 14 - Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte – The Blue Room

Aramis and Philippe return to the Chateau where they take refuge in the blue room situated directly above the King’s room. As they await the fall of night and the King’s retirement, Aramis begins to prepare Philippe to take on the image of his regal brother. During the night the King is visited in his room by masked men who kidnap him and replace Philippe to his bed.

Song 18 : No Turning Back - Aramis    play >

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Scene 15 - Chateau – next morning

D’Artagnan visits the King’s room where a nervous Philippe is now in place. Philippe and D’Artagnan interact but D’Artagnan is suspicious of quite obvious changes of manner in his King. Aramis is summoned and confesses his secret to his old friend, dependant upon their oath of allegiance to escape possible arrest. D’Artagnan warns Aramis that he will be forced to reinstate the King upon his honour and return Philippe to the Bastille. Surprisingly, D’Artagnan allows Aramis a head start but vows to track him down on the orders of his ‘true’ King which he knows will follow once he reveals the plot to Louis and releases him. Aramis takes flight to meet Porthos. Anne and Philippe are reunited (Song 19 - Ease the Pain – Philippe & Anne of Austria.)

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Scene 16 - Bastille, Paris

D’Artagnan tells King of plot as he releases him and angry he immediately orders the banishment of Philippe to Iles Ste. Marguerite. "He will cover his face with an iron mask, which the captive cannot remove without risk to his life" The King orders D’Artagnan to seek out Aramis and return him to stand trial for treason.

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Scene 17 - Jolly Miller Inn, Paris.

(Song 20 – Musketeers (reprise) - Chorus) Aramis visits Porthos with news of an urgent mission. Porthos does not quite clearly understand what kind of mission or to where, but follows his friend’s urgent example without question. All for One! Porthos reads this as the quest for his dukedom that he has always craved and exclaims, "I shall be made a Duke". Bonacieux arrives and upon hearing of the plot vows to stand by D’Artagnan.

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Scene 18 - House of Athos, Blois

The three musketeers are reunited once more and immediately Aramis pours out his story of Philippe’s banishment and D’Artagnan’s solemn vow. Aramis reminds Athos of his grievances against the young King. The three musketeers pledge their allegiance to one another and vow to restore justice by setting Philippe free and returning Louis to the Bastille.

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D'Artagnan & Jussac

Scene 19 - Late outside the Jolly Miller Inn, Paris

D’Artagnan returns to the Inn in search of his friends, where he is set upon by Jussac who hungers for revenge. There is a vicious fight and D’Artagnan slays Jussac.

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Song 22

Life, Love, Loyalty D’Artagnan & Chorus play >

Scene 20 - Inside the Jolly Miller Inn, Paris

D’Artagnan enters the inn alone and reflects upon his crisis of conscience as ghosts from his past echo his thoughts.

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Scene 21 - House of Athos, Blois

D’Artagnan bursts in and there is a brief stand off between him and his former friends. As the tension intensifies D’Artagnan finds the challenge to his friends to be difficult .His conscience creates a change of heart and the three become four once again with a collective mission to free Philippe! (Song 23 - Live a Dream (reprise) - Aramis, Porthos, Athos & D’Artagnan.)

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Song 23

One for All The Company play >

Scene 22 - Dungeons, Isle Ste. Marguerite

(Song 24 – Left to Die – Philippe) Philippe is alone in his cell still unable to accept his brother’s cruelty. D’Artagnan arrives with an unconscious Louis XIV draped over his shoulder. Philippe is released by the group and symbolically the Iron Mask is removed out in the daylight. Bonacieux arrives to witness the reunion.

Lone figure of Louis XIV is set downstage. He is resigned to his fate.

The End

Pictures courtesy of CAODS

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