Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Featuredimage.jpg" alt="Treasure Island, Creation Theatre" class="wp-image-168047" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Featuredimage.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Featuredimage-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Featuredimage-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location"><strong>THE LOCATION</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WycliffeHalltent.jpg" alt="Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, Treasure Island" class="wp-image-168049" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WycliffeHalltent.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WycliffeHalltent-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WycliffeHalltent-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With the school holidays in full swing, it’s time for some family friendly outdoor theatre. Enter The Creation Theatre’s swashbuckling production of Treasure Island, adapted and directed by Gari Jones, an old hand in the West End and on Broadway and a long-term collaborator with the Creation Theatre (you may have seen his adaptation of <em>A Christmas Carol</em> at The North Wall). Following a run of touring dates, this riotous open-air summer show is being performed on the South Lawn at Oxford&#8217;s Wycliffe Hall. The stage is in the round so you&#8217;re guaranteed to be close to the action, with seats on either chairs or blankets &#8211; bringing your own picnic on board while you watch is encouraged. Don&#8217;t worry about the weather forecast because the stage is sheltered under a large canopy. But pirates don&#8217;t mind a spot of rain, do they? Seaward ho!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cast"><strong>THE CAST</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/BillyBones.jpg" alt="Treasure Island, Creation Theatre" class="wp-image-168051" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/BillyBones.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/BillyBones-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/BillyBones-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Treasure Island</em>&#8216;s motley crew are played by seasoned members of the Creation Theatre rep, who have plenty of Shakespeare and TV work on their combined acting CVs too. Between them, the five actors play 11 high-energy characters – and they do so with gusto, and plenty of interesting accent changes. (These unruly pirates variously seem to hail from Wales, Scotland and somewhere floating around the Bristol Channel).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WaterGuns-copy.jpg" alt="Treasure Island, Creation Theatre" class="wp-image-168053" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WaterGuns-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WaterGuns-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WaterGuns-copy-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Nicholas Osmond makes a salty baddie in Long John Silver (he&#8217;s also Pew, the blind beggar), while Hayley Murray (the only cast member with the same role throughout) is the wide-eyed heroine Jim/Jemima. Her&nbsp;Mum is played by Katherine Toy (who doubles up as a seaman named Dog), and Graeme Rose plays pirate Tom and Trelivesey (this show’s take on Squire Trelawaney). When Herb Cuanalo isn’t stealing scenes as the roguish Billy Bones (see below on a dramatic hiatus during our matinee), he’s convincingly buccaneering as shipmates/pirates Hands, A-ha and the marooned Ben Gunn.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-plot"><strong>THE PLOT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Keelhauling.jpg" alt="Treasure Island, Creation Theatre" class="wp-image-168055" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Keelhauling.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Keelhauling-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Keelhauling-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Creation Theatre&#8217;s version is not entirely faithful to the original – this is a loose adaptation designed for children – but you’ll recognise the skeleton narrative of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. For a quick recap: Jim Hawkins (in this case more of a Jemima) and her mother are struggling to make ends meet running the disreputable Benbow Inn. Enter a mysterious pirate, called Billy Bones, who drinks them dry of rum and then dies after being given the Black Spot by blind beggar Old Pew. He leaves behind a map: the key to dead pirate Captain Flint’s buried treasure. Adventure calls as they set sail on The Hispaniola to find the gold. The only problem is, wicked one-legged Long John Silver also has his eye on the prize – and he stirs up mutiny on board ship with his rebel faction of pirates. It all ends with a fierce battle – well, a family friendly battle where the audience are roped in to pelt the pirates with coloured foam balls. I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but good wins out and the treasure ends up in the right hands.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-production"><strong>THE PRODUCTION</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Graeme.jpg" alt="Treasure Island, Creation Theatre" class="wp-image-168056" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Graeme.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Graeme-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Graeme-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The set is simple, but effective. A wooden scaffold bearing a pub sign for the Benbow Inn turns into The Hispaniola ship in a trice, with the addition of some a Hispaniola sign and a canvas sail. The ship’s deck, where much of the action takes place, is created thanks to ropes, fishing nets and wooden boxes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The make-shift set fits with the characters&#8217; quick banter and rapid switches of role, creating plenty of room for moments of improvised comedy and ad libs to embellish the storytelling. The cast needed it during the matinee we watched, due to something that wasn’t <em>exactly</em> in Geri Jones&#8217;s script. Just moments into the play Billy Bones (Herb Cuanalo) played his death scene so convincingly after being handed the dreaded Black Spot that he writhed in agony and couldn’t get up from the grass. It turned out he’d been pierced by one of the huge safety pins on his punk-inspired pirate’s overcoat. Cue an anxious 15-minute wait while he received medical attention – but the show must go on, and Billy Bones was soon back in the fray. What a pro!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Actionscene.jpg" alt="Treasure Island, Creation Theatre" class="wp-image-168057" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Actionscene.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Actionscene-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Actionscene-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>From then on, Gari Jones’s adaptation was a swashbuckling caper filled with more swordfights, keel-hauling and drunken sailors to keep even the most dastardly pirate entertained, and all accompanied by plenty of original salty sea shanties arranged by musical director Patrick Stockbridge on the accordion, drums and violin. As it zips along over two hours (including an interval), plenty of silliness keeps the show suitable for children &#8211; and big children. The guns are water pistols, the pirates’ props include a glove-puppet parrot and a rubber ring, and the &#8216;death&#8217; scenes are done with a wink and plenty of comedy. By the closing spirited sea shanty, everyone was clapping along as the pirates danced a jig. Shiver me timbers, I reckon the Creation Theatre has struck gold.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/SquareImage.jpg" alt="Treasure Island Creation Theatre" class="wp-image-168063" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/SquareImage.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/SquareImage-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/SquareImage-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/SquareImage-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong>&nbsp;This is a great family show – I took my two children, aged 9 and 5, and they loved it, sitting spellbound on their blanket throughout. (Okay, they did a bit of Treasure Island-themed colouring and the packet of Starbust from the café stall possibly helped too). The venue is fully accessible, with space around the stage for wheelchairs and pushchairs.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;You’re chancing the British summer weather with outdoor theatre, so this is one for hardier types. But as discussed above, pirates don&#8217;t mind a spot of wind and rain.</p>



<p><strong><em>Performances of Treasure Island continue until 17 August at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, at 2.30pm and 7pm.&nbsp;<a href="https://creationtheatre.co.uk/show/treasure-island-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book tickets</a>&nbsp;from £15-£30 (seats) or £55 for up to four (two adults and two children) people on a blanket.</em></strong></p>


Review: Creation Theatre’s Treasure Island, Oxford

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