Treasure Island

The Pavilion was buzzing with activity and it was good to meet up again with Douglas Morgan after my last visit subbing for your performance of Cinderella. Now after Brenda’s retirement I am now delighted to be your new NODA Representative.

The decoration around the proscenium arch was again sparkling and Treasure Island was projected onto the curtain. The story of ‘Treasure Island’ is of course well known and this panto was based on the story with a few interesting and comical additions along the way. The rowdy Admiral Benbow pub that is not keeping it’s head above water owned by Mrs Hawkins, a Squire’s penchant for spotted dick, his daughter falling instantly in love with our hero Jim Hawkins, a group of WI members who wanted adventure and also became pirates, and a life size elderly parrot. Billy Bones is no longer after receiving an exceptionally large ‘black spot’ and leaves his chest in which a treasure map is found. It’s race on now to get rich quick and the adventure begins.

Sets throughout were colourful, designed by Douglas and constructed by Gareth Butland with a team of builders, painters and collectors of the many props. A vibrant opening drinking scene within the pub with excellent back drop. Bristol Docks, aboard Hispaniola, and The Lagoon was beautifully finished. Novelty additions included the moving signposts, the large Black Spot, and X marks the spot.

Judith Brooke MD and piano accompanist together with Phill Drew on Drums led the musical numbers certainly full of nautical and pirate flavour with strong, confident pirates and together with the ladies produced toe tapping numbers. A delightful duet with movement from Tim Peck as Jim Hawkins pairing with Paige Lynam as in love at first sight, adventurous Jenny Trelawney. Rob Taylor, as poor, no much poorer than that created a lovable Dame who encouraged the audience participation throughout including inviting a large group on stage for Happy Birthdays and a pirate song assisted by two of the younger members very successfully.   

Plenty of comedy throughout, a walking the plank routine, a mop drill, and a lovable old bird with Dids Rob-Siv under a wonderful parrot costume who just wanted to sit on Long John’s shoulder. Long John Silver was most convincing with Dave Williams looking and sounding quite menacing together with his motley trio of vicious pirates. Making his debut as Sam, was Graeme Gibbons-Brooks paired with Chris Giles as Seaweed Willy. The cake making and calendar girls candidates Smuggler’s Cove WI members were led by proper bespectacled Mrs Henderson so well characterised by Lauren Hickman-Smith, and the determined liberated women became pirates too after some amusing basic training! Strong vocals from the whole cast throughout, cameo opportunities too. Christine Holford assisted by Tim Peck created the co-ordinated dance movements, with Clive’s directing and also playing both the dying Billy Bones cursed with the black spot and a comical Ben Gunn marooned on the island with his tripod.

Two sparkling interludes came from two exciting dance routines from students of Abi’s Dance School costumed in black their performance was slick and athletic.

The large wardrobe team worked wonders with the fab character costumes - colourful with good appropriate makeup and hair styling.

Good Sound was managed by Sussex Events Limited whilst the Lighting effects were designed and created by Gareth Butland and Daniel Shotter.

So many aspects of such a good performance involves so many behind the scenes helpers and together you performed a tiptop ‘Treasure Island’ so a big thank you to everyone making it possible.

 

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