Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Name: Treasure Island
Brand: Robert Louis Stevenson
SKU: 9780571324361
Rating: 3.25 (485672 reviews)

Treasure Island Book Cover — Treasure Island Cover

Highlights

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Large Cast

Female

Male

75 mins18th CenturyFlexible Cast SizeBare Stage/Simple SetPeriod CostumesBritish Adaptation Historical Christmas Mystery Comedy

What readers are saying

Readers find Phil Willmott's adaptation of Treasure Island ambitious, especially for providing equal roles for male and female performers. However, some feel that despite its unique approach, the execution may not live up to expectations.

Equal roles for all performersUnique gender-swapping approachExecution may not meet expectations

Synopsis

This is the first adaptation of Treasure Island with great parts for both male and female performers.

Inspired by real-life female adventurers, Phil Willmott has changed the gender of several of the central characters without compromising the spirit of Stevenson's classic novel.

First produced to great acclaim as part of London's Free Theatre Festival on the South Bank in 2005, this swashbuckling stage adaptation brings out all the comedy and adventure of this ever-popular story.

The play can be simply staged, is suitable for performance by kids and adults and can be adapted to suit a large company or a small team playing several roles.

ThemesDrama Children's plays, English English Irish Pirates Pirates--Juvenile drama PR6066.A834 T74 2007 Scottish Treasure troves--Juvenile drama Welsh Treasure troves

Press Reviews

"A delightful blend of the salty and the silly"
— Independent

"Jolly, swashbuckling pantomime-like fun"
— Evening Standard

"A zany new version"
— Observer

"Ludwig invents a new spine to Robert Louis Stevenson's great story of skulduggery and gold-digging on the high seas!"
— What's On Stage

"A gripping yarn with a genuinely rough-and-ready buccaneering spirit. It flies the flag for good-old fashioned ensemble story-telling."
— The Telegraph

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Actor Two Long John Silver / Jim’s Father	male	—	Long John Silver / Jim’s Father
Actor Three Dr. Livesey / Captain Flint, pirate	—	—	Dr. Livesey / Captain Flint, pirate
Actor Four Squire Trelawney / The Bailiff / Job O’Brien, pirate	—	—	Squire Trelawney / The Bailiff / Job O’Brien, pirate
Actor Five Captain Smollet / Black Dog, pirate	—	—	Captain Smollet / Black Dog, pirate
Actor Six Reverend Mainwaring / Jemmy Rathbone, pirate / Ben Gunn, pirate / Josiah Bland, pirate	—	—	Reverend Mainwaring / Jemmy Rathbone, pirate / Ben Gunn, pirate / Josiah Bland, pirate
Actor Seven Jim’s Mother / Anne Bonny, pirate	female	—	Jim’s Mother / Anne Bonny, pirate
Actor Eight Widow Drews / Justice Death, pirate	—	—	Widow Drews / Justice Death, pirate
Actor Nine Bailiff’s son / Israel Hands / Blind Pew, pirate /Calico Jack, pirate	—	—	Bailiff’s son / Israel Hands / Blind Pew, pirate /Calico Jack, pirate
Actor Ten Bailiff’s Son / George Merry, pirate	—	—	Bailiff’s Son / George Merry, pirate
Actor Eleven Inn Guest / Boy with Barrow, pirate / Ezekiel Hazard, pirate / Tom Morgan/ Cut Purse, pirate	—	—	Inn Guest / Boy with Barrow, pirate / Ezekiel Hazard, pirate / Tom Morgan/ Cut Purse, pirate
Actor Twelve Bristol Sailor / Billy Bones, pirate	—	—	Bristol Sailor / Billy Bones, pirate
Additional Pirates As needed	—	—	As needed
A Parrot	—	—	—
Actor One Jim Hawkins	—	—	Jim Hawkins

Videos

Meet The Playwright: Ken Ludwig

Available Editions

Format	Publisher	Year	Pages	ISBN-13	Price
Paperback · Reprint	Oberon	2006	96	9781840026924	$12.99
Paperback · Main	Faber & Faber	2014	192	9780571324361	$13.30
Paperback	Nick Hern Books	2008	80	9781854595904	$18.02
Paperback · Goodman	Samuel French	—	—	9780573651212	$23.20
Paperback	Samuel French	—	—	9780573650987	$27.41
Paperback · Watson	Dramatists Play Service	—	—	9780822211709	Buy
Paperback · Way	Samuel French	—	—	9780874406368	Buy