Treasure Island @ C Too

Stevenson’s adventure tale of intrigue, betrayal, and honour amongst pirates has always been sufficiently gripping to capture the imagination of children and adults alike, but as we find all too often at the Fringe, there is a bad way to tell a good story.

Thankfully we are spared such disappointment. These plucky five bring alive the highs and lows of Treasure Island with a yo-ho-ho, the proverbial bottle of rum, and the odd lusty sea shanty. No doubt enthusiast Dominic Allen has dreamed his whole life long about playing the role of Long John Silver, because he adapted this play himself from the book before bringing it to the Fringe. He shines in his performance, as do the rest of the cast. In the telling of the story these plucky five mates shift seamlessly through a series of favourite characters including Black Dog, Blind Pew, and Benjamin Gunn, each with their own peculiarities and impeccable accents. Protagonist Jim Hawkins doubles as narrator and the interaction between him and those demonstrating what he speaks of fill the stage with life.

Little details stand out. As the cast transforms the stage into a ship with nothing but a length of rope and a couple of crates, they sing a song and drop their props in place in time to the music. The effect is hypnotic. This is a definite win for fans of classic literature, especially those with kids to bring along.