York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 12th March 2022
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
5*****
The Le Navet Bete Theatre Company, based in Exeter, have returned once again to York Theatre Royal, with their take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s legendary tale. I have seen them on the two previous occasions and was looking forward to their brand of physical comedy.
The company of four, Al Dunn, Matt Freeman, Dan Bianchi and Nick Bunt, brings to life, with a fresh twist, the story of Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver, Ben Gunn and Captain Flint’s buried treasure. It might not be the story you may be used to, but boy is it entertaining. Bunt plays Jim, whilst the others play a variety of characters, even Captain Birdseye and a mermaid!
From a misty start, with treasure being buried on stage, we are treated to 2 hours and 20 minutes, including interval, of pure unadulterated slapstick and fun. After the curse of the black dot and the discovery of a treasure map, we follow Jim from his family inn, across the seas to the Caribbean. Recruiting crew members, including the aforementioned Captain and Long John Silver, with his wooden leg and his faithful parrot Alexa. This is no normal parrot, you’d expect nothing less than this modern take, it’s all courtesy of the Amazon and would mishear requests and order unwanted items.
With a segment of Play Your Cards Right we had a great time with higher and lower, and then all loved joining in later with a heave and a ho. There were quite a few school children in the audience, at first, I was a bit wary, but they only added to the whole experience with their laughter and chuckles, especially at the “risqué” parts, with references to the Jolly Todger and Little Todger. We all couldn’t help but join in with all the fun and laughter.
Bunt plays a convincing 14-year-old, all wide-eyed and innocent. Dunn’s main character is Long John and he steers the story along, appearing to be the good guy, but is full of skulduggery and is hiding, well at least to Jim anyway, his piracy. Bianchi does a fab impression of the Captain, with his love of fishfingers, but is he in disguise? Freeman is outstanding as Vanessa, complete with wardrobe malfunction, the mermaid, flapping about on stage, Alexa, and the Jean Paul Gaultier inspired, Blue Peter, now what an outfit! He has such a presence on stage with his knowing smile and such an expressive face, he’s not afraid to go that extra mile. All the company are amazing in their different roles and are the perfect foil for each other.
There are gags aplenty and the action does not let up, full of contemporary comedic twists. You are left wandering if all the physical comedy is scripted, with all the trips and gaffes, but I very much doubt it and it only added to a great evening’s entertainment. I have always enjoyed their shows, but this is my favourite, for now at least.
Are they boys with their childish humour, or men who are masters of their craft? I believe the latter, but maybe a bit of both, you decide. This is some serious, good old laugh-out-loud fun and should not be missed.