Treasure Island is sailing into the UoB Stadium this Christmas!

30 Mar 2019 08:13
Published by: Dave Fletcher

The Octagon Theatre’s Treasure Island is sailing into the University of Bolton Stadium this Christmas!

Octagon Theatre Bolton are delighted to announce that a swashbuckling new adaptation of the classic pirate tale will be performed at The University of Bolton Stadium in Horwich.

Following the success of last year’s production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at the stadium, the Octagon Theatre have dropped their anchor in the Premier Suite at The University of Bolton Stadium again to present their annual festive show in December 2019.

The Octagon Theatre Bolton will present a brand new adaptation of Treasure Island based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson - a festive treat for families Sunday, December 8th to Friday, December 27th.

Tim Jackson will direct the new production by the Octagon Theatre following widespread success as a director, choreographer, musical director and composer. Tim Jackson was Choreographer and Musical Director for Little Shop of Horrors at Manchester Royal Exchange in 2014, choreographer for the recent West End productions of Stepping Out and Merrily We Roll Along and most recently directed The Protagonists at The Other Palace in London.

Tim Jackson has said “I’m thrilled that we’re off on an adventure to Treasure Island this Christmas. Brace yourselves for pirates, parrots and pieces of eight!

Robert Louis Stephenson’s classic tale of buried treasure and mutiny upon the high seas will be brought to vivid life in a fabulous new musical version for The Octagon Theatre, Bolton. Join Jim and friends as they set sail in search of gold and jewels beyond their wildest dreams.

Packed with swashbuckling songs and lashings of laughter, Treasure Island is a fun-packed show for all the family.”

The classic tale of buccaneers and buried gold will be presented a rip-roaring new stage adaptation by writer Kate Ferguson with music and lyrics by Susannah Pearse. Kate Ferguson’s credits include Fair Trade, executive-produced by Emma Thompson (UK tour) and Susannah Pearse’s credits include music and lyrics for Jabberwocky at Margate Theatre Royal and Original music for the songs in John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme (BBC Radio 4).

Grownups never pay attention to children like Jim Hawkins. Stuck working in the family Inn, Jim is longing for adventure… could this be the day something exciting finally happens? When Jim meets a mysterious seafaring gentleman, adventure calls and it looks like there might be gold on the horizon.

But once they set sail, things start to look dangerous. Will Jim and friends escape from a gruesome gang of pirates and make their way back to dry land with the treasure?

A fearsomely talented cast of actor musicians alongside some frighteningly brilliant young people from Bolton will help us set sail on our jolly way in a fun filled family adventure bursting with music, mutiny and talking parrots!

Lotte Wakeham, Artistic Director at the Octagon Theatre said "I'm absolutely thrilled that the Octagon is presenting this brand new stage adaptation of the much loved family favourite Treasure Island. The show's writers - Kate Ferguson and Susannah Pearse - are ridiculously talented, and I know their version of the story will be huge fun and filled with festive magic, as well as unforgettable, toe-tapping songs.

"I could not be more delighted to have the wonderful Tim Jackson on board, helming this production as director, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous work in the West End.

"This is going to be a really special, swash-buckling show for Bolton audiences this Christmas."

The Octagon Theatre building continues to be under redevelopment and will reopen early in 2020. The theatre’s second off-site season of shows for autumn 2019 will be announced in May.

Treasure Island will run from December 8th to December 27th in the Premier Suite at the University of Bolton Stadium. 

For more information visit octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on

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