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Treasure Island
adapted by Grace Barnes from Robert Louis Stevenson's novel
LIKE OTHERS IN THIS SEASON, this a story most of us feel we know: certainly, characters with names like Blind Pew, Ben Gunn, Long John Silver and Jim “Lad” have their place in our consciousness even if, as in my case, we haven’t read the book.
And what a darkly entertaining evening Ms Barnes’ adaptation gives us, with a broad appeal in terms of audience. Larger than life characters, wickedness, greed, treasure – and a parrot! How could it lose? On one level, it’s a rollicking tale, straight out of a Boys’ Own comic: not surprisingly, as RLS started writing it for his young stepson. I like to think he would be pleased to know my 11 year-old daughter, who accompanied me to the theatre, enjoyed it hugely, and has been inspired to read the book. Eat your heart out, JK. |
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Hywel Morgan plays the older Jim Hawkins, narrating the tale from Dr Livesy’s (Dougal Lee) study in the 1770s. Playing the young Jim is the brilliant Kezia Burrows. She has been splendid this season and is perfectly convincing as a lad. Dennis Conlon puts in one of his quirkiest performances yet as the almost-bonkers Ben Gunn.
All credit to Gregory Gudgeon for the sheer stamina involved in hopping across the stage for two hours. Like so many villainous characters, Gudgeon’s Silver is dangerously attractive.
Adrian Rees’ minimalist set leaves a lot to the audience’s imagination, which is a clever move. It would be an impossible task to recreate Livesy’s study, The Hispaniola, the Hawkins’ family inn over the course of a performance; instead, they are all unique to those who see the play.
This is a truly classic tale, well told by Grace Barnes and PFT.
Dolly West's Kitchen
by Frank McGuinness
DOLLY West’s Kitchen is the sixth and final play in PFT’s Season 2005. Well regarded by those in the know, Frank McGuinness’s play was certainly well received on its first night at Pitlochry. I’m afraid though, for me, of all the plays this season, this one left me rather ho hum.
It has a fabulous, simple and tasteful set by Monika Nisbet and is beautifully lit by Jeanine Davies. It also features perhaps the best performance of the season in Clare Richards’ portrayal as matriarch, Rima. Helen Logan is an attractive Dolly and Jacqueline Dutoit as her sister Esther is on form. If anything, it’s the men who let the side down. Apart from Stewart Cairns’ “out there” performance as a homosexual GI, the other male roles are lacklustre, particularly the male lead, Jonathan Coote, who gives a wonderful performance as Atticus Finch in Mockingbird.
Dolly West’s Kitchen takes place in Buncrana, Donegal, Ireland, towards the end of World War II. It focuses on the West family: mother Rima, sisters Dolly and Esther and their brother Justin. Esther’s husband Ned and the maid, Anna, complete the household. Into this backwater come two GIs, Dolly’s former lover, Alec, and the stage is set for upheaval – not least by the tour of duty three of them are about to serve in active combat. They come back changed men and as a result, the women too have to reassess their lives and deal with the tragedy of loss.
There is tenderness, poignancy, warmth and humour in this play. Many will love it. I feel cheated that I did not.
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