From the very first ‘Argh’, this show was filled with so much enthusiasm it was almost scary. Treasure Island is crass and crude and filled with enough humor to suit everyone in the audience. Adapted from the classic Robert Louis Stevenson adventure novel, this production tells the tale of honest Jim Hawkins and his search for treasure and adventure. Honest Jim, who cannot tell a lie, finds a map and sets of to discover the long lost treasure. Unbeknownst to him he is surrounded by pirates including the legendary Long John Silver. Hilarity and adventure ensues with the whole audience joining in.
What was so impressive is that the kids were so involved they didn’t even need to be coached when to respond during the interactive parts. The mandatory ‘Arghs’ whenever the word pirate was mentioned didn’t wane or diminish, but seemed to get more frenzied with each repetition.
The characterization was excellent throughout, with each separate pirate creation more amusing then the last. The physicality was fantastic, meaning that everyone from Long John Silver to One-Legged-One-Armed-One-Eyed Pete was discernible and present despite the entire crew being played by only four actors. Rarely have I seen such an energetic show, I was half expecting the boys around me to jump up on stage and turn pirate. In fact, there were some children who most definitely had to be forcibly dissuaded by their parents.
