Performed with just a cast of four in their own inimitable style, the multi-award-winning physical comedy company Le Navet Bete bring their smash-hit version of lace Robert Louis Stevenson’s legendary tale to Theatre Royal Plymouth during the Easter school holidays this April.
Laced with a whole host of contemporary comedic twists, including an unusual motley crew of pirates, a parrot called Alexa (straight from the Amazon), a certain white bearded fish finger tycoon and a mermaid we’re sure you’ll never forget, this is Treasure Island you’ve never seen it before.
This will be the first time Le Navet Bete have performed in the city since the pandemic. The show was made in Plymouth, in co-production with the Barbican Theatre in 2019. It has since toured the country and is now returning to its home city.
Published and licensed worldwide by Nick Hern Books in 2020, Treasure Island is the company’s seventh collaboration with one of UK theatre’s leading comedy directors and writers John Nicholson. Bristol based John is Artistic Director of the award-winning Peepolykus (The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary) and has previously written for BBC Radio 4, ITV and Paramount.
John is joined on the creative team by Devon based designer Fi Russell whose ingenious and versatile set takes audiences from the lofty heights of a ship’s sail to the sandy beaches of a tropical island in a matter of seconds, and composer Peter Coyte, whose thrilling original score perfectly complements the adventure unfolding on stage.
Co-writer and director John said: “Le Navet Bete have an inimitable flair for multi character work and also a love/predilection for bonkers story- telling. Treasure Island is an epic, escapist, coming of age adventure. It’s a big story. So theatrical adaptations tend to employ sizeable casts. This adaptation however is written for a cast of four actors, who seamlessly transition between 26 characters – so it’s certainly epic backstage!”
Nick Bunt from Le Navet Bete added: “Robert Louis Stevenson’s original tale had always been one in the back of our minds; the characters and narrative give us so much to work with, to create an immensely fun, true to the story (ish!), larger-than-life world to play with and put our own hilariously chaotic spin on.”
Suitable for ages 7+ and their families.
Treasure Island comes to Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Lyric Stage from 12–15 April 2023.
‘Le Navet Bete has created its best production to date’ The Stage
‘Good slick fun’ British Theatre Guide
‘Great fun… ideal for children who love an adventure’ Reviewshub