Treasure Island

Treasure Island
By Ken Ludwig. Hobart Repertory Theatre Company. CJ Bowers (Director). Bill Dowd (Designer). The Playhouse Hobart. 28 June – 20 July 2019

This production of Treasure Island is no kiddies’ pantomime. The strength of this excellent production is in the script, which combines fast-paced narrative, thrilling action and engaging characters.

The show is highly visually satisfying.  The proscenium, masked by a sepia impression of a treasure map, is inviting. The core of the set is a mast.  The simple moment when this versatile set becomes a pirate ship is disarmingly pleasing.  Bill Dowd never disappoints. His costumes are a feast for the eye. Recycled (Up-cycled? Down-cycled?) and, in many cases, made from scrap, the costuming was a conscious effort highlight the negative environmental impacts of the fashion industry. This was an economy with stunning results, not a mishmash cobbled together, but a coherent stylistic vision.

The action was very well choreographed. The pirate band of strong individualised characters were energetic in their use of the space. Convincing fight scenes were further evidence of excellent direction by CJ Bowers.

The core of the show is the relationship between Jim Hawkins (Katrina Green) and Long John Silver (Jeff Keogh). Jim is an identifiable hero. His journey to manhood raises questions as to who is worthy of trust, on whom can he model his character and when he should take matters into his own hands. Long John Silver is complex and elusive and given a nuanced performance by Jeff Keogh.

Several characters meet an untimely end in this show. If you can convince the kiddies that it is all make believe, this is a show which will please everyone.

Anne Blythe-Cooper

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