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Treasure Island (Lavery)

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  7w, 16m

Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in this thrilling adaptation first seen at the National Theatre in London, this time featuring a female protagonist and more roles for women.

Treasure Island (Lavery)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    7w, 16m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adventure, Adaptation (Literature), Mystery/Thriller, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

It’s a dark and stormy night. Jim, the innkeeper’s granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous adventure begins. As she sets off on a voyage to find the treasure, Jim encounters a crew of the bloodthirstiest pirates including the infamous Long John Silver, and she begins to wonder whether any of them will make it back alive. Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in this thrilling adaptation first seen at the National Theatre in London, this time featuring a female protagonist and more roles for women.

History

Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Treasure Island premiered in London at the Olivier stage of the National Theatre on 3 December 2014. Directed by Polly Findlay, the production starred Patsy Ferran as Jim Hawkins and Arthur Darvill as Long John Silver.

Admiral Benbow Inn
JIM HAWKINS, JUNIOR – A teenage girl dressed like a boy
GRANDMA HAWKINS – A landlady
DOCTOR LIVESEY – A doctor and thinker
SQUIRE TRELAWNEY – A squire with a big mouth
MRS. CROSSLEY – Drinker and churchgoer
RED RUTH – Future crew member
JOB ANDERSON – Future crew member
LUCKY MICKY – Future crew member
SHANTY BAND – Various singers and musicians

Visitors
BILL BONES – Haunted villain
BLACK DOG – Eight-fingered villain
BLIND PEW – Blind villain

Crew of the Hispaniola
CAPTAIN SMOLLETT – Captain
LONG JOHN SILVER – One-legged cook, charmer, and villain
JOAN THE GOAT – Headbutter
ISRAEL HANDS – Clumsy Spaniard
DICK THE DANDY – Pirate voguist
KILLIGREW THE KIND – Gentle killer
GEORGE BADGER – Malcontent
GREY – A grey, forgettable character
CAPTAIN FLINT – A parrot

Island Inhabitants
BEN GUNN – Marooned cabin boy

  • Time Period 18th Century
  • Setting

    Various locations on land and at sea in England. 18th century.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Play with Music, Puppetry, Stage Combat
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Gun Shots
    • Violence

Media

“Imaginative… A tribute to the wit, honour and resourcefulness of children.” – The Guardian

“Witty. Playful. A richly enjoyable show.” – Financial Times

“Jim Hawkins becomes a girl rebelling against gender roles in this imaginative adaptation, which keeps alive the wit and excitement of the book… it offers variations on Stevenson’s original without vandalising it… This version, like the book, is a tribute to the wit, honour and resourcefulness of children.” – The Guardian

“Ambitious and magical. Thrillingly executed.” – The Stage

“Remarkable… Bryony Lavery’s sharply written adaptation… lights up the ambiguous centre of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story.” – The Observer

“Bryony Lavery [has] taken Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic pirate story by force and given it quite the refit. Treasure Island boasts pace, daring, [and] gruesome comedy.” – Time Out London

Videos

  • Treasure Island – National Theatre Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Treasure Island – National Theatre Trailer

  • An Introduction to Treasure Island – National Theatre youtube thumbnail

    An Introduction to Treasure Island – National Theatre

  • “A Storm Arrives” Scene – Treasure Island at the National Theatre youtube thumbnail

    “A Storm Arrives” Scene – Treasure Island at the National Theatre

  • Treasure Island – Open Stage Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Treasure Island – Open Stage Trailer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Robert Louis Stevenson

Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh on November 13, 1850. His father, a distinguished lighthouse engineer, urged him to study engineering at the University of Edinburgh, but Stevenson soon began preparing for a law degree. He gra ...
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Bryony Lavery

Bryony Lavery’s play Frozen won the TMA Best Play Award and the Eileen Anderson Central Television Award when it was produced at Birmingham Rep, then the National Theatre, then on Broadway where it was nominated for four Tony Awards. Stockholm, for Frantic Assembly, won the W ...

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