Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarboroug – until 29 December 2019
Reviewed by Sara Garner
4****
A brand-new adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic Treasure Island by Nick Lane. The adventure begins in Scarborough and takes us to Treasure Island where we join the crew aboard the Hispaniola in search of Captain Flints’ buried gold and hopefully back home in time for Christmas. Nick Lane’s adaptation promises songs, swords, talking vegetables and a giant mechanic crab called Susan and swashbuckling a plenty.
The story begins the inn that belongs to Jim Hawkin’s parents. A mysterious stranger called Billy Bones, rents a room at the inn, warns Jim to keep a look out for a ‘one legged man’. One day, Billy is visited by a beggar called ‘Blind Pew’ who gives him the ‘black spot’ which is the mark of imminent death among pirate crews. This is adapted cleverly in the play to a fight with the “Black Dog” which had the audience laughing out loud. Jim and his mother find a treasure map which Jim takes to Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey who realise that it shows where Captain Flint, an evil and heartless pirate, has buried his stolen treasure. The Squire and the Doctor decide to go and find the treasure and invite Jim to come along. They hire a crew led by the respected Captain Smollet. The ship’s cook is a one-legged man called Long John Silver whom everyone admires.
The ship sets sail and we immediately begin to doubt the trustworthiness of this crew. However, the night before they reach Treasure Island Jim overhears Silver and other members of the crew plotting to kill them all. He realises that Long John Silver and most of the crew are pirates and were once members of Captain Flint’s crew. Jim warns the Doctor, the Squire and the Captain about the crew’s evil plans. Will they be saved and home in time for Christmas?
The cast of 5 fearsome pirates (Alice Blundell, Niall Ransome, Ben Tolley, Marcquelle Ward and Scarlet Wilderink) engaged with the children in the audience prior to the show putting them at ease. At the beginning of the play I did wonder how 5 actors where going to deliver a panto, but they did not disappoint as they took on multiple roles throughout the play. They acted, sung, danced and played musical instruments during the performance to tell us the elements of this story which was delivered with high energy from start to finish.
Favourite parts for us where the meeting of Ben Gunn who was abandoned years ago – (this song will stick in your head for the rest of the Christmas period), flashback scene and the leadership contest.
Children and adults of all ages will love this swashbuckling somewhat bonkers slightly, Monty Pythonesque reinvention of a classic story.