Treasure Island

Treasure Island a play staged by Wigan Little Theatre’s Youth Theatre at Wigan Little Theatre, Compton Street, Wigan, on Thursday, 22nd September, 2022

This version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale was penned and adapted by Stuart Paterson. This adaptation was first staged by the Birmingham Stage Company at Birmingham Old Rep in 2007 and keeps close to Stevenson’s original story but has a genuinely ‘fresh feel’ in its approach! When young Jim Hawkins is left a treasure map by the dying buccaneer Billy Bones, he sets sail on the Hispaniola in search of the island. Among the crew, the one-legged Long John Silver becomes his greatest friend – but Silver has a shocking secret in store, and when they reach their destination, Jim faces danger and adventure greater than he could ever have imagined! This production is presented by special arrangement with Nick Hern Books.

I think I am right in suggesting that this was the first occasion that I had been to see a production performed by Wigan Little Theatre’s Youth Theatre.  First impressions… great enthusiastic group, full of energy and commitment.  Well done each and all. 

The Production Team… having had the privilege and pleasure of seeing this production being rehearsed some weeks ago and now having seen it staged, there is little or no doubt that the success of this production lay with the commitment, enthusiasm and energy shown by everyone involved in putting this production on stage! The ‘direction’ of this production was very much a ‘team effort’ in the safe hands of Lauren Brown, Neil Brogan, Alicia Scally, Hannah Ward-Jones and Aimee Oliver (Youth Team Leaders) who helped oversee this youth production. It was so obvious that the cast were just loving being back on stage… they were all well cast, well-rehearsed and as soon as those curtains opened… were ready to give us their all… well done guys great job!

Loved the opening scene… with the solo singer drumming on a wooden crate and being steadily joined by the entire cast… worked really really well and set the perfect tone for the entire production!

The Cast… never one to sit on the fence, this is where I ‘stick my neck out’ and start identifying MY favourites and I stress MY favourites, because ask anyone else from the audience that night and they would probably suggest others… but these are MY ‘fab five’…  ‘SHOWSTEALER’ for me was Shinade Gallagher and her interpretation of the ‘notorious pirate’ – ‘Long John Silver’.  Shinade was a perfect fit for this part, confident, great stage presence, great characterisation, never lost the limp, well done Shinade great job young lady!  Sianna Cooper played our ‘hero’ Jim Hawkins and played it really well!  Looked totally comfortable throughout and made this part her own, well-done Sianna be proud!  ‘Captain Smollett’, the captain of the ‘Hispaniola’ was played ever so well by Emily Williams. Confident, assured, good diction, good stage presence another that made the part her own, be ever so proud Emily… great job!  ‘Israel Hands’ the sinister, villainous sidekick of Long John Silver was played really well by Keira Lawton. Great characterisation, stage presence aplenty, looked completely at home in this role, great job, be ever so proud Keira!  Making up my ‘Fab Five’ was Iona Armstrong and her interpretation of ‘Ben Gunn’ the ‘Wild Man of the Island’… not seen anyone for 3 years.  First appears in Act 2, but instantly created a believable character, with good mannerisms and good stage presence, be really proud Iona, great job young lady!

Having said that about My ‘fab five’ … can I also say that the whole cast tackled this script with great energy and commitment, creating their own characters of which they should all be rightly proud of …. Evie Fanning took on the role of ‘Billy Bones’, Robert Morris played Squire Trelawney, William Hare played Doctor Livesey, Callum Carter played ‘Black Dog’, Laila Humphreys played ‘Morgan’, Grace Ball played ‘Blind Pew’; Scarlett Glanfield played ‘Mr. Arrow’;  Jacob Latham played ‘Tom’; Macy Gladwin played ‘John’; Alex Jones played ‘Dick Johnson’; Cole Pemberton played ‘Harry’; Gracie Wright played ‘George Merry’; Millie Appleton played ‘Abraham Grey’; James Welsby played ‘Job Anderson, and Lily Kendrick played
‘The Parrott’. The ensemble of ‘Revenue Officers’, Pirates, Sailors, and ‘Drinkers’ were played by Jacob Simpson, Amelia Byrne, Niamh Richards, Holly Sutton, Mathew Welsby and Isabelle Oakley. 

SET/TECHNICAL… a simple set was used and moved throughout.  It included a mast with rigging, boxes and barrels which created just the right effect.  What enhanced this simple set was the superbly projected images that were used and accompanied every scene.   Congrats to all involved from Joey Wiswell (Stage Manager) and his assistant – Iona Sterling to Neil Brogan (Set Design), Brian Heap, John Gostelow, Neil Brogan, Philip Wood (Set Construction), the Technical Team of Owen Rasburn, Becky Hampson, Kim Brown, Jacob Latham,Sandy and Rick Kershaw, Connor Turner, Rachel Taylor, Lauren Brown and Neil Brogan.

The Costumes… were fabulous and again added so much to the production… they were under the watchful eye of Stacey Vernon, Ian Trumble and Keira Lawton.

Props and Stage Crew… props were apt and used well and were looked after by Elaine Delaney, Katie Davis, Jess Sinclair, Calli Crook and Kacey Makin.

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I to your production, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we really do love and appreciate watching young people being given the chance to be on a stage and perform in front of
a live audience.  These young people are the future of not only Amateur Theatre but theatre full stop!  The next ‘theatrical super star’ has to be born somewhere… why not here at Wigan Little Theatre!

Stay safe and keep well…
‘STRONGER TOGETHER’

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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