Treasure Island

In the midst of a wet and gloomy March, it was a joy to be transported over the high seas on the Hispaniola to the Caribbean with the young and talented cast of “Treasure Island.”” After Robert Louis Stevenson had first written this most famous of adventure stories he was quoted as saying, “If this don’t fetch the kids, why, they have gone rotten since my day.” He was absolutely right then, and the romance of a quest for buried treasure still weaves its spell on a modern audience today.

Robin Brignall was excellent as our young hero, Jim Hawkins, introducing the story of his encounter with the world of piracy. Once the old sea-dog, Billy Bones, (ably played by William Davidson), had first darkened the door of the Admiral Benbow Inn it was only a matter of time before the still more threatening figures of Blind Pew and Black Dog in menacing form (James Bradley and Ben Smith) followed in hot pursuit!

How we admired the good Doctor Livesey (James Warrington), and shared his misgivings about the ability of a splendidly blustering Squire Trelawney (Caspar Bayliss) to curb his enthusiasm, and not broadcast the aim of the sea voyage. Well might our brave Captain Smollett (Alexander Foster) voice his doubts about the suitability of his crew!

Who could, however, resist the charms of that legendary sea-faring man with one leg – Long John Silver, played so convincingly by Cameron Mitchell? As the plot unfurled with its twists and turns, it was impossible not to love the old rogue, with his maxim “Never get caught”, and rejoice in his survival and, eventual, escape from the hangman’s noose.

One of the undoubted stars was Harrison Charles as an agile and unforgettable Ben Gunn, but all of the cast should be proud of their acting, singing and dancing in what was an excellent, funny and moving evening of drama. The unsettling words of the immortal rhyme “Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest” will haunt many of us for months to come!

Needless to say, such evenings do not happen by chance. Much praise is due to all of the unseen crew - the adults who so willingly gave up their time to make this the success it was; these include Robert Gillman for the music, Robert Leach for the sound and lighting, Suzanne Everest and her team for the stunning wardrobe, Carol Carden and her team for the make-up, Sheridan Charles and Anna Francis for the properties, Pat Williams for the beautiful set, Sarah Bartley for being such an able stage manager, and James House and the back stage crew.

The ultimate credit, however, must go to Mrs Sue Leach, in what is, sadly, the last in a long and glorious line of her dramatic productions at Aldro. The praise, flowers and applause given her were more than well-deserved, but I suspect what meant still more to her was the surprise appearance at the post-production party of many grateful old Aldronians, all of whom acknowledged how much they owed to this inspiring and dedicated lover of the theatre.

Treasure Island was a triumph and a very fitting finale. There will, of course, be other successful plays at Aldro in the years to come, but, Mrs Leach, you will be a very hard act to follow!

AW