Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum doings on stage

Apr 24 2008 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

PIRATES will dock in Newcastle next week with an invitation for families to enlist on a voyage of adventure.

A swashbuckling adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale Treasure Island takes to the stage of the Theatre Royal from Tuesday.

Performed by Birmingham Stage Company, the production brings a new energy and vibrancy to the tale about a hunt for hidden treasure.

It starts with the young hero Jim Hawkins’s discovery of a map where treasure is buried.

He then sets sail with Squire Trelawney and a hand-picked crew, including the ship’s one- legged cook Long John Silver, in search of the island shown on the map. But their exciting mission enters dangerous ground.

Playing Long John Silver is Gavin Robertson, who comes north fresh from London’s West End where he performed in the box office hit One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest alongside Hollywood star Christian Slater. Young Jim Hawkins is played by John Cockerill.

Treasure Island comes to Theatre Royal, Newcastle, from Tuesday until Saturday, May 3.

:: For tickets, priced £7.50-£14.50, visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call 08448 112-121.