Treasure Island
The Witham, Barnard Castle
THE Castle Players have opened their annual winter tour, bringing us a different approach to a classic story, for all ages.
Over the years they’ve brought us an excellent range of productions, this year turning themselves into The Radio Revellers presenting Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Before the show begins the cast mingle with the audience introducing themselves as their actor characters, which makes an interesting start, as they’ve obviously worked hard on creating a backstory for themselves. Once on stage they remain in their glamorous actor character as they begin to set up for the radio play performance, which is about to go live over the airways.
Covering the stage are lots of everyday objects ready to be made into interesting sound effects, as they begin the countdown to go live with the story of Treasure Island.
Initially it took me a little time to get into the story, partly as the fast pace of the production and with so much action to watch I just didn’t know which way to look. The characters flowed quickly from side to side as other members of the cast were adding sound effects or getting into position ready for a sound effect. I soon got into the style of the production and loved the incredibly visual and slightly crazy performance.
The accomplished cast were brilliant throughout. It’s always impossible to mention every member of the cast, but Kennedy Page certainly stood out, especially from her facial expressions when performing the sound effects.
The Lux adverts bring a break from the story as the cast give us an entertaining use of Lux Soap Flakes including a catchy jingle created by Phil Scunthorpe.
As every stage will be different from the large floor in The Witham to much smaller venues, this gives them the exciting challenges to adapt their movement, making each show fresh and exciting for the cast.
There are six performances left for the winter tour at Mickleton Village Hall, Gainford Theatre, St Mary’s Parish Hall, Whorlton Village Hall, All Saints’ and Salutation Church, Blackwell, and Cotherstone Village Hall.
Further details on www.castleplayers.co.uk
Andrew Harrison
