Pitched as “Pirates of the Caribbean meets Fishermen’s Friends”, this highly enjoyable production of Treasure Island at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester, turns out to be a swashbuckling festive romp with an excellent original score and guaranteed laughs for audiences of all ages. Although it’s in the traditional panto slot, and it certainly has moments which tip a tricorn hat towards this genre, it is a strong, lyrical offering in its own right.
A swashbuckling festive romp with an excellent original score and guaranteed laughs for audiences of all ages
The central story, adapted by Barn veteran Alan Pollock and directed by Bryan Hodgson, is of course well-known to most from the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel, describing the adventures of cabin boy Jim Hawkins – a fresh, sweet, melodic performance from Elliot Gooch – and of course his friend/nemesis Long John Silver – played with gusto by George Evans – and the quest for buried treasure.
The first act is somewhat full of exposition which means a slow-ish start to proceedings but once the score - the definite strong point of the production from composer Lee Freeman and accompanied by funny, entertaining lyrics from Mark Anderson – gets fully into its stride and each of the cast and characters has been properly established, the show really begins to thunder along.
Post-interval, the second act keeps the energy going and contains many of the best songs in the show. The energy of Run, Gunn, Run and God, Make Me A Fish are a one-two punch of fun. Whilst all of the cast of seven get the chance to display their actor-musician chops, it's the two women in the cast, Olivia Rose Deane as Lennie and Georgia Leila Stoller as Mrs Hawkins/Jenn Gunn, who provide much of the vocal muscle throughout. There’s a scene-stealing turn from Sam Denia – playing Billy/Squire Trelawney – who gives some much appreciated laughs and an consistently high energy performance, no more so than in All aboard, Hispaniola.
The set, designed by Alfie Heywood, is sufficiently nautical with much of it doing double-duty as the various locations during the story with some amusing business involving trapdoors and an apple barrel. If there’s one criticism it’s that the show was inconsistently lit throughout, in fact at some points it was too dark to see the cast’s faces or indeed much else. However, as this was only the third in a mammoth run of 80+ shows I’m sure it’ll be resolved.
Overall, an excellent night out and immensely well received from the packed audience of all ages. One to book whilst you can and enjoy with the family over Christmas and in the New Year.
