Audition Date: Thursday 28 August, 7:30pm, Lewes Little Theatre Foyer
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. First published in book form in 1883, telling the story of buccaneers and buried gold, all set in the 18th Century. Becoming one of the most dramatized and adapted classic children’s novels ever, with over 50 film and TV versions, and 24 major stage adaptations. We are proud to present a new adaptation premiering at Lewes Little Theatre.
Since its publication, Treasure Island has significantly influenced depictions of pirates in popular culture, including elements such as deserted tropical islands, treasure maps marked with an X, and one-legged sailors accompanied by a parrot.
This family entertainment has been especially adapted for the theatre with all the ‘swash and buckle’ you’d expect and some of the most memorable characters you will ever meet. Join us on the adventure of a lifetime. And see where the wind takes us, ‘Yo ho, me hearties! Yo ho ho!’.
Long ago, there was an old inn, on the cliff tops, far from anywhere run by Mrs Hawkins. A child, young Hawkins, dreams of pirates and treasure in faraway lands and wishing for adventure, away from their boring humdrum life. Too soon the world is turned upside down when an old sailor leaves a real treasure map to young Hawkins, and suddenly they are dropped into the adventure they craved. Sharing the map with the local Doctor and Squire, a captain, ship and crew are hired to sail to the Caribbean Sea in search of the mysterious tropical island. On board young Hawkins is befriended by the ships cook, Long John Silver, but is surprised to learn the cook is really a pirate and leader of the crew - who mutiny when they arrive at their destination. Hawkins, the ship’s captain, Doctor and the Squire fight the pirates, but look doomed to lose, until Hawkins meets an old sailor marooned on the island years ago. Together they plot to outwit the pirates and find the treasure.
Will young Hawkins and friends win the fight against the pirates? Or suffer a terrible fate, worse than death. Join us on this fast paced, action-packed voyage to see all the excitement on Treasure Island.
Young Hawkins – Young person – Jim or Jem. A restless youth wishing for adventure. This is the main role in the play and requires a physical actor and someone who can act well and narrate scenes. No doubling.
Mrs Hawkins – Middle aged – Mum to young Hawkins. The tuff landlady at The Admiral Benbow Inn near Bristol. A businessperson. Fond of Dr Livesey. Small role.
Bill Bones (Captain) – Middle aged – A sailor residing at The Admiral Benbow Inn. Cantankerous, short tempered and a drunk. Scared that others will steal his treasure map. Fighting required. Small role.
Dr Livesey – Any age – A smart, well-educated person of some standing in the community, also a magistrate. The doctor has strong ethics. Often the voice of reason. Has feelings for Mrs Hawkins. Large role – in most of the story. No doubling.
Black Dog – Any age – A well-worn and grubby sailor who is after Bill Bones and the map. Fighting required. Small role.
Blind Pew – Any age – A vicious larger-than-life pirate who will stop at nothing to get the treasure map. Cruel and brutal to Young Hawkins. Very aggressive. Fighting Required. Small role (exaggerated movements required).
Supervisor Dance – Any age – The leader of the revenue officers (Police). Small role.
Squire Trelawny – Middle aged – A very well-mannered person, the local landowner. Educated, but not always the brightest person in the scene, often makes mistakes, but is warm hearted and well meaning. Upper crust - foolish but not dumb. Large role – in most of the story. No doubling.
Long John Silver – Middle aged – A larger-than-life character. Duplicitous, untrustworthy but kind and generous at the same time. A famous pirate who befriends young Hawkins and then betrays them. Or do they? Fighting required. Large role – in most of the story. No doubling.
Captain Smollett – Middle aged – A strict and stern captain. Likes to give orders and trusts no one. Understands the sea and how to sail a ship. Everyone and everything is dangerous until told otherwise, cautious. Large role – in most of the story.
Arrow (Ships Mate) – Any age – A sailor fallen on bad times. A drunk. Small role.
Israel Hands – Any age – A pirate, so bad they are feared by other pirates. Fighting required. Medium role. Very aggressive.
Ben Gunn – Any age – A marooned sailor driven mad by loneliness. A larger-than-life character. Comic timing required. A very physical role, able to jump, leap and dance, whilst speaking. Medium role.
Morgan – Any age – A pirate. Small role.
Merry – Any age – A pirate. Small role.
Chorus – Revenue officers, customers/pirates at The Admiral Benbow Inn, stevedores at dockside, ship’s crew, pirates on island.
Apart from where specified, all actors will play multiple roles. All roles are gender blind.
Characters
For a script or more information, please contact the Artistic Director Shaun Hughes at shaun.hughes61@hotmail.co.uk or call 07971 815883.
