Review: Treasure Island, Red Rose


Treasure Island is one of those books that is often read by father to son, and most of us are familiar with this tale of pirates and gold.

Jim lives with his parents at The Admiral Benbow Inn. When an old sea captain dies at the Inn owing the family money Jim and his mother search an old sea chest belonging to the captain. Inside they find an old treasure map belonging to Captain Flint.

But they are not the only ones interested in the map, others want to get hold of it, Long John Silver and some of Flint’s old crew who are in search of the treasure…

The Red Rose Theatre’s festive offering this year is Treasure Island – but not as you have ever seen it before. The story is brilliantly told by some of the hardest working actors in the business – just watching them makes one feel quite exhausted…

But, what happens when you have an audience but no cast or set – something rather brilliant, that’s what.

With some clever writing by the very talented Joanna Carrick this action packed piece is brought to life with some ingenious use of props and some inventive improvisation.

As with every Christmas show there’s plenty of audience participation, as the cast of just three take on all of the characters in this tale about pirates, sailing the high seas, murder, a talking parrot and of cause the treasure!
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is very well-known, however once Red Rose Theatre company have sprinkled some of their special mad cap magic on the tale the story of pirates and treasure maps turns into something rather wonderful.

Treasure Island will be at the Avenue Theatre until 2nd January. To book ticket visit www.redrosechain.com or telephone the Box Office on 01473 603388.

Review: Wendy Cook, Ipswich24
Photos: Bill Jackson