The Wykehamist
Gunn, as was the atmosphere of the setting in his initial exchange with Jim. It was also created by the‘ trees’, which were ensemble members holding up comically large leaves in front of their face and standing still( save Max Lee( Coll: 2023-), who, presumably frustrated with his inability to dance during the performance, took the opportunity as a tree to at least sway).
We were then treated to a fight-scene, which saw almost the entire cast engaging in sword-fights on stage. The choreography of Treasure Island was definitely one of its primary strengths. Each swordfight, as far as school plays go, was entirely convincing( save the delayed reaction times), and the ringing of steel from the stage was noticeably responded to by the audience each time.
Perhaps one of the more underrated characters in this play was Israel Hands( Caspar Jack( F, 2023-)) – a man with no luck, as he often lamented. His attempt on Jim’ s life was probably the second-closest our protagonist came to death. His short temper, his cunning, and his overall creepiness created an intensity in his performance that few others replicated.
Eventually, it was all over. The pirates were dead, Jim and his friends were rich, and Long John Silver was gone. But the night was not over: Will Newport( E, 2021-), sang Mutiny, written by The Longest Johns, alongside the cast play-acting along. Whilst his performance on the first night was fairly depressive, he brought passion to the second and third night – as did Monsieur Fondain, who, participating in the sea-shanty on the third night, attempted to get the audience to sing along. The audience elected not to do so; this may be why he then spat at us.
Overall, Treasure Island defied expectations. Despite its length, the cast brought a vigour to the play that kept the audience engaged. More than anything, the play was characterised by its unadulterated spiritedness; I eagerly await next year’ s school play, whatever it may be.
Thomas Dunn( H, 2021-)
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