Two of the cast of Creation's latest swashbuckling production talk to Katherine MacAlister about staging Treasure Island

Shiver me timbers, Treasure Island is back, this time under the firm stewardship of Creation Theatre who adapted the Robert Louis Stevenson tale as a fun alternative to the Christmas show.

Furiously rehearsing when we meet, I sit down with Long John Silver and cabin boy Jim to find out whether a good wind blows over the cast.

“We wanted to do something more adventurous, something completely different with a great sense of humour,” Long John Silver aka Tim Wyatt tells me.

“And thanks to the audience who all sent in their suggestions about how pirates should look that’s what we’ve got,” Jim played by Rosie Holt, adds.

“Some of the pirates in the pictures were very neat and tidy but it was amazing to see what grows out of a child’s imagination and the designers have given the costumes a papery look,” she continues.

Rosie, 30, is a stand-up comedian when she’s not masquerading as a stowaway, making her a perfect choice for The North Wall’s larger-than-life show, and was delighted to get through the rigorous Creation auditions.

“I think Jim works quite well as a girl because her father dies when she is young so it’s just her and her mother and everyone wants to call her Jemima.

“When she discovers a chest of treasure she can’t resist going on an adventure and going to see the world. It means she lives a much more exciting life than she would ordinarily.”

With 45 shows during the festive season to enact, the Creation cast has got its work cut out for it, but as the Oxford theatre company’s fans are fiercely loyal, the Christmas shows are always a big success.

“We are looking forward to the challenge and to see how Treasure Island develops, because it’s very immersive and we involve everyone,” Tim tells me.

“There is a lot of energy and endless jokes in the script, plus we get to perform in the North Wall, which is an amazing space, so the show is acted on several different levels,” he adds.

As for Long John Silver, Tim says “he is quite manipulative, and switches sides all the time but I think the audience will work that out for themselves.’’ All of which means that Rosie can’t wait to get going. “I’m so excited because it’s so much fun and we are all really proud of the production – it’s a really vibrant show and everyone has been very enthusiastic about it so far.’’

It certainly seems as if Creation’s harsh few years, when it’s future hung in the balance, are over, rising above it just like its jolly pirate crew. “We have come through those tough years like a phoenix rising from the ashes thanks to the huge support we received, and are determined to continue our winning streak with Treasure Island.

“So we have put all our energy into this to make sure everyone who comes thoroughly enjoys it,” producer Ginny Graham adds.

And rather than seeing Oxford’s rival shows as competition, Ginny adds: “I think they all really complement each other, because we all offer something totally different. It’s just about getting people out to the theatre at Christmas.”

SEE IT
Treasure Island is at the North Wall in Summertown from December 4 until January 9.
Call 01865 766266 or see creationtheatre.co.uk