Treasure Island

It was great to be welcomed along with an enthusiastic audience containing fellow performers from St Stephen and St Dennis to watch the opening night of Roche Pantomime players production of Treasure Island, a pantomime they were going to perform for the very first time. Ben Crocker had taken the classic adventure novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1883 and used many of the original characters but cleverly added traditional elements of a pantomime and members of the local WI. 

Your directors took Ben’s script and created a fast-moving tale of unscrupulous pirates looking for treasure along with surprising twists and turns, added some Cornish magic and delivered a brilliant piece of entertainment for their audience.

The lighting was provided from lighting bars; follow spots and lights on the stage they were well controlled from the back of the hall by your tech team. The night falling fast worked extremely well as did the UV ghost scene. Sound was delivered from speakers set around the hall and was set at an appropriate level and the radio mics used by the cast were set at the correct level, there did seem a little issue with the Squires which was corrected.

Your team produced a set of well painted backdrops and legs to enhance the production. We travelled from the Dames Legs to a multi bricked alleyway and the WI hall to the Falmouth Docks in the first half and the ship Sweet Child of Mine to the Treasure Island and back in the second half. Time had obviously been taken to add detail to all the backdrops; I thought the treasure map behind the children was lovely. The large stage props added authenticity to all the scenes the large picture frame was great and the smaller personal props were well managed and added meaning especially when used by members of the ensemble on stage.

You are lucky to have your talented musical director and drummer who ensure all the musical numbers are delivered at an excellent standard. There were a wide variety of music from rock anthems to the Song of the Westen Men which was well sung by cast and audience alike. It was noticeable that all the songs had been practiced well with clear diction and harmonies. It was great to hear all the cast join in with the chorus numbers with smiles on their faces.

The choreography in the performance was well rehearsed and delivered with panache by the members of the cast.  Your choreographer is obviously aware of the skills of her performers and is able to show use of these skills when creating her various dances.  As they move up through the ranks so do their movements. I would like to comment on one young lady in the senior chorus who I can see going far. It was good also to see that the named cast members had their own routines which they had perfected.

I read in your programme that you have a new ‘Wardrobe Lead’ aided by his team. I would like to complement him on his choice of costumes. They were all well fitting and added detail to the characters they were playing. I did like the hints of tartan which were added to outfits, the blue and white sailors’ costumes were lovely and the detailed costumes for the dame and Polly were outstanding.

The action began in the ‘Dames Leg’ where we were introduced to the Mrs Hawkins who was down on her luck, she led the ensemble in the opening number and was beautifully attired in the first of a variety of well-fitting outfits. ‘She’ had developed a brilliant character with excellent stage presence and precise movement. ‘She’ interacted with ease with all those on stage and her chosen stooge in the audience. Her diction and singing were on point and the Squire’s love of her ‘Spotted Dick’ legendary.

The next character we met was Jim Hawkins, her son, also trying to bring income into their lives. He created a strong persona, spoke with presence, sang tunefully and his immediate attraction to Jenny was lovely to follow during the performance, they were both looking for adventure. Jim his fortune and Jenny a suitor.

Kittie the maid was only on stage for a short while but her piercing scream would have woken anyone in the close vicinity. Her announcement about the ‘demise’ and ‘return’ of her master caused a good reaction by the audience.

The Cornish theme was certainly evident with Squire Trelawney who was very handsome in his National Tartan outfit complete with sporran and tricorn. The Cornish undertones continued on board ship where in his white Captain’s dress he sang Trelawny with the Dame. Initially some of his speech was a little difficult to understand but soon his text became clear as did his personality. There was often bluster when interacting with some cast on-stage, weak-kneed reaction to an offering of ‘spotted dick’ but with his daughter he was very clear about his expectations.

The next actor was the Squires daughter Jenny who also sported some tartan in her outfit and I feel maybe a little too much blusher. Her identity was a determined feisty young lady who was strong-minded not to just join the WI but do something with her life.  She was insistent that she was in love on the spot with Jim and during the following adventurers they had were great. She spoke clearly and moved with purpose. Jim and her duets were presented with feeling.  

The character of Billy Bones may only be required for the first scene but your player made the part his own and received the dreaded ’black spot’ and collapsed on the floor and created a mobile obstacle.

As Seadog Sam and Seaweed Willy your players took their parts seriously and popped up during the performance as not always successful henchmen for Long John Silver.

In the passageway outside the pub, we met the pirates who had heard about the treasure map and were determined to find it for themselves. Their leader the infamous Long John Silver looked just right bedecked in grey and white. Although it is not mandatory for him to use a crutch, I was a little confused as he seemed to limp at certain points. He gave a strong performance, had good stage presence, knew his dance steps and came across as rough and tough and was going to be obeyed but was outwitted by the members of the WI. It was great to see the other side of him when he thought that Polly was gone forever.

Next, we were introduced to Blood Boiler who was flamboyantly dressed in red and black with and oversized tricorn. ‘He’ had created an excellent character as robust as the others but occasionally ‘his’ upper class accent was heard. ‘He’ took a full part in all the musical numbers.  Gizzard Slitter was an unusual addition to the pirate crew because as she stated she ‘was a woman!’ She created a convincingly strong character who had good diction and sang and moved well. The last member of the team was Fridge who maintained his dower, monosyllabic identity with ease.  I enjoyed the way all of the characters worked together especially when they integrated the WI cookery competition all attired in dresses which Fridge won and the inclusion of the effective ‘slush’ incident.

The insertion of the members of ‘The Smuggler’s Cove Women’s Institute’ certainly added a new dimension to the story of Treasure Island. The ladies chosen to play these roles captured a cross section of ladies you would expect to find within a group. They all created individual characters with their own foibles, sang with gusto and moved well. Their costumes defined them and the additions when they joined the crew of the ship great.  Mrs Henderson was obviously the local President and in charge. She was very confident, opinionated, and expected her decisions to be followed. Whereas Mrs Normington was more down to earth and saved the day when the treasure map went missing. I loved they way they questioned Long John Silver’s announcements siting health and safety and risk assessment issues.

The actor depicting Polly the Parrot was an inspired choice. She looked fantastic, had great comic timing, was able through gestures and facial expressions to show all Polly’s feelings and squawked on and off the stage throughout the show. She demonstrated her indignation at not being allowed to sit on Long John Silver’s shoulder and she was apoplectic when he appeared with another parrot. She had the audience in the palm of her hand!

On the treasure island we find Ben Gunn who we found had a new job as a photographer. He played the part well with good stage craft and clear projection. The last character we met was Captain Bloodheart who might have not been on stage long but made his presence felt.

Your co-directors made a great team, working well together and successfully encouraging the very best performances from their ensemble cast. They ensured that all were given a chance to shine and choosing two young teenagers to play the romantic leads paid off. Many congratulations to all onstage and behind the scenes.

Disclaimer                                 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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