Huge amounts of energy. Huge amounts of silliness. Huge
amounts of fun.
This incredibly fast-paced production of Treasure Island by The Pantaloons (which
I saw in Eastbourne on 25th July 2015) sees just three actors play
all the characters. There follows an entertaining variety of madcap
characterisations and questionable regional accents. And audience interaction,
singing, drumming, ad libbing, and so much packed in you wonder that the cast
don’t just collapse in a heap at the end!
I really enjoyed it. So did the kids in the audience around
me. They were completely rapt throughout.
In a lot of ways, watching The Pantaloons’ Treasure Island is like watching kids
playing at being pirates. The plastic swords, the parrot puppet, the hand
gestures to show imaginary spurts of blood when injured. And all played with
such gusto and exuberance.
I particularly enjoyed the sword fights (hey, I’m a big
kid), and the hip hop medley as Jim ‘drives’ the ship.
I have to confess there were times when I didn’t entirely follow
what was going on plot-wise – but it didn’t bother me in the slightest. I was
having too much fun.
I’ve read the original book of Treasure
Island (I’m afraid it hasn’t stuck in my head much), and I’ve seen the
Muppets’ version on film (which has stuck in my head much more). The Pantaloons’
version rivals the Muppets’ for zaniness and probably surpasses both versions
in terms of pace.
Really, the huge amount of energy on stage was something to
behold.
The Pantaloons are on tour with Treasure Island until 30th August 2015. See their website for full
tour details.
They will be returning to Eastbourne’s Under Ground Theatre
on 11th August with Much Ado
About Nothing. After their Treasure Island
and Pride and Prejudice, I’m looking
forward to seeing what else they’ve got up their sleeves.
