Bristol Old Vic is the perfect location for a performance of Treasure Island. Parts of the classic story are set in the city with the 17th century Llandoger Trow pub, said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write about the Admiral Benbow Inn, down the road from the theatre.
This new musical version of the novel has been created by Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary, who wrote the West End hits The Great British Bake Off Musical and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾.
The story centres on 13-year-old Jim Hawkins who is bored with her life running a Bristol pub with her mum. Discovering Captain Flint’s infamous map provides her with the adventures she craves. She sets sail on the Hispaniola to seek her fortune on Treasure Island with Squire Trelawney, Captain Smollett and Long John Silver.
The action begins in the pub in 2025 with the actors on stage as the audience arrives. That’s always a nice touch and helps to develop an immediate connection with the cast.
It’s the Bristol Storytelling Festival and Bristol-born comedian Jayde Adams, making her professional theatre debut, kicks off the show by interacting with the crowd. On press night, she got chatting to a lady from Bristol City Council, which led to some panto-like boos from the audience!
The action then begins as the story of Treasure Island is told and we’re transformed back to the same pub in 1775. The pub goers’ Addidas tracksuits become pirates’ coats, with pirate hats complete with the Nike swoosh.
This is a fabulous production.
Adryne Caulder-James is superb as Jim Hawkins and Colin Leggo is brilliant as the mysterious Long John Silver.
Jayde Adams is fantastic in multiple roles including Jim’s mother and operating a brilliant puppet of Long John Silver’s parrot.
But the big star of the show is Adams’ performance as Benita Gunn, who Jim Hawkins discovers is stranded on the island when the Hispaniola arrives.
She is absolutely hilarious and has an impressive singing voice. Alone on the island, Benita has made some unusual friends who are the co-stars of a very memorable musical moment. We won’t give away exactly what characters they are, but trust us, you’ll love them!
The rest of the cast are great too, with super impressive multi-tasking skills as they play multiple instruments alongside their acting.
Another star of the show is the set. It’s framed by a huge version of James Millerd’s famous 1673 map of Bristol, with giant poles transforming the stage from Bristol harbour to the ship and then palm trees on Treasure Island.
The songs are brilliant too, with plenty of tunes you’ll be humming for ages.
Treasure Island at Bristol Old Vic is the ultimate Christmas show. It’s a brilliant story with superb acting, memorable songs, and many moments of proper laughter that all the family will enjoy. An absolute must do this festive season!
Treasure Island is at Bristol Old Vic until 10 January 2026.
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Photography credit: Johan Persson
