On Thursday 30 April and Friday 1 May, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller are also alternating roles as Victor Frankenstein and the creature in Frankenstein. This week, Shakespeare's hilarious comedy Twelfth Night, starring Tasmin Grieg, is available to stream on the National Theatre’s YouTube Channel. I came away from the show with the same sense of adventure that I’m sure Robert Louis Stephenson intended when he wrote Treasure Island way back in 1881. It is fast-paced, gripping and packed full of action. Later in the play, a network of underground tunnels was uncovered, which again was very striking – especially given the size of the stage.Īt a time when theatre fans are unable to visit theatre venues - with many shows having sadly been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic - the National Theatre’s Treasure Island brings some much needed escapism to viewers. The island was an integrated mechanical structure which rotated to reveal different sections of land, some with huge balloon spot-like growths on the surface. The second half of the play was set on an island. This further directed attention to Clachan’s incredible backdrop which throughout the play showcased a planetarium of stars, arranged in a series of dazzling constellations. This was embraced by two large curved wooden structures which defined the boat’s edges.ĭuring the first half of the play, Darvil showed Ferran how to find guidance in the night sky, whilst standing on the ship. The ship itself was extremely impressive, with rope ladders, sails and a wheel resting on top of a series of individual rooms, giving the ship a dolls’ house effect.

The first half of the production was set in Jim’s grandma’s West Coast Inn and then the ship. Despite the intense action throughout the production, it was hard not to marvel at the complexity of the set design. Lizzie Clachan’s set was almost too impressive. The gang then set sail to follow the map and find the island’s hidden treasure. This discovery leads to the ditsy Squire Trelawny (Nick Fletcher), assembling a somewhat motley crew of misfits, with the help of Long John Silver. Kelly also introduces a sea-chest: an important prop, as it contains the map which will lead our characters to the island on which the treasure is buried. The play takes a dramatic turn from the start as sailor Billy Bones (Aiden Kelly) tells Ferran the engrossing story of the fearsome one-legged pirate: soon to be revealed as Captain Long John Silver (Arthur Darvill). On arrival at the island where the treasure. We are first introduced to Ferran’s character when she is living and working in her grandmother’s inn. The Squire hires a ship, a captain, and a sailor called Long John Silver, whose job is to run the ships galley. The play follows the journey of the protagonist, Jim “Jemima” Hawkins (Patsy Ferran) on her quest to find buried treasure. The National Theatre’s Treasure Island was adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Polly Findlay.

Treasure island characters