PROFESSIONAL stage fight director, Renny Krupinski, is making it real by testing the mettle of actors at The Wilmslow Green Room during rehearsals for The Three Musketeers.

Stunt coordinator, well known for his gritty realism on TV programmes such as Coronation Street, The Bill, Blue Murder and Torchwood, has choreographed the big sword-fights in the Green Room’s production, which runs at Gawsworth Hall from July 23- 25. The play’s director, Celia Bonner, said: "A key feature of The Three Musketeers is its rumbustious sword-fights between valiant heroes - Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D’Artagnan – and the baddies, so it’s crucial that the fighting looks authentic.

"Renny has worked with us on previous open-air productions at Gawsworth and was instrumental in directing the wrestling scene in As You Like It in 2005 and the impressive sword fighting bouts in Romeo and Juliet in 2007."

Hugh Everett, who plays Porthos in the production, said: "Renny’s done a wonderful job in creating the fights and teaching us the moves. It requires an amazing amount of concentration to get them absolutely right every time while delivering your lines, because the slightest mistake when you’re lunging towards someone with a sword could be lethal."

Renny is regarded as one of the foremost fight arrangers and action coordinators working in the UK today. He has worked as a stunt coordinator with many major theatre companies throughout Britain, Europe and in America, as well as with some of the world’s top directors and actors.

The Three Musketeers has been adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ action packed novel by Willis Hall, probably best known for Billy Liar and The Long and the Short and the Tall.

The play tells the tale of D’Artagnan, a poor young Gascon gentleman, who makes his way to Paris to follow in his father’s footsteps as one of King Louis XIII’s Musketeers.

He offends but is then befriended by three valiant members of that elite force, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. The four put their heads and swords together to foil the evil plans of Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter, who are plotting against Louis’ Queen, Anne.

Celia added: "This production is one for all the family and because of the timing, right at the end of the school term, we hope that young and old will be able to come along and join in the fun. Our motto for the production is of course - ‘All for One and One for All."

Tickets for The Three Musketeers are available online at www.gawsworthhall.com or by ringing the box office on 01260 223456.

Further information about The Wilmslow Green Room Society can be found at: www.wgrsoc.co.uk