This is an ambitious attempt to stage Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, the classic tale behind so many of our ideas about pirates and buried treasure. It looks expensive and boasts some lovely details — including a remote-controlled parrot puppet that perches jauntily on Long John Silver’s shoulder — but lacks real buccaneering vitality.

At its heart is Patsy Ferran as narrator Jim Hawkins. She is deliberately androgynous and full of energy as the innkeeper’s son whose appetite for risk and riches takes him far from his West Country home. It is a coming-of-age story and Jim finds an unlikely father figure in Silver, the resourceful one-legged cook who appears to be his ally yet turns out to be a subversive mastermind. Arthur Darvill captures Long John’s pragmatism and slipperiness but does not quite imbue the part with enough charisma. Joshua James relishes the grubby role of Ben Gunn, stranded on Treasure Island for three years and now apparently wild and deranged.


Lizzie Clachan’s design is the show’s most arresting feature. Her sets make inspired use of the Olivier’s resources. One moment the stage is occupied by a cross section of several decks of a schooner, the next we are in the midst of a belching, noxious swamp. Director Polly Findlay evokes the darkness of Stevenson’s vision of desire, adventure and recklessness. But it is a highly technical production and at times one can see the gears grinding. Bryony Lavery’s script is affectionate yet lacks magic. It seems to assume a good deal of familiarity with the material — which is risky, given that the show is intended to attract young theatre-goers. So, although the results are visually satisfying, this is not a truly ripping yarn. It needs a keener sense of fun and danger. More blood and more rum.