The Pantoloons’ Treasure Island drops anchor at Lower Hutt Little Theatre. Stevenson’s swashbuckling tale is given a cheeky panto twist, packed with all the essentials: a treasure map, a villainous pirate and more groan-worthy puns than you can shake a cutlass at. From the get-go, the cast dives headfirst into the silliness, pulling the audience along on a wave of slapstick, bad jokes and big-hearted performances.

Molly Weaver leads the charge as plucky Daisy Hawkins, the classic wide-eyed hero, bouncing between innocence and quick-witted comebacks with charm. Jel Pollock, as Long Joan Silver, is all swagger and knowing grins, strutting through the role with just the right amount of menace (and plenty of winks to the crowd).

Jake Elston as Albert and Tanisha Wardle as Cecil offer up some delightful comic turns, while Carol Reed brings double the fun as both Beryl Gunn and an enthusiastic Beard Seller. James Barnett (Bart/Billy Bones) and Warrick Allan (Henrietta Hawkins) round out the ensemble, each adding their own splash of mischief.

The show seems just a few steps away from being ready – as with most theatre lately. With funding cuts and the high prices of rehearsing and venue costs, almost all shows seem like they just need that final polish. The middle consists of about half a dozen very quick scenes to get the exposition out; which are all 3-4 characters huddled to the side of the stage discussing a plan. They could lose half of these or make a big joke out of it. Then just a few little things like swapping the pirates sneakers for some op-shop boots, slapping on some tattoo cover and a few more sessions in front of the mirror to get the steps in time.

But none of this really matters of course when the kids are having fun. This is the kind of local theatre that knows exactly what it’s about—getting the kids laughing, clapping, cheering (and booing) from start to finish. This isn’t high-stakes, high-budget theatre—and it doesn’t pretend to be. The set is simple, the props endearingly homespun and the jokes knowingly groan-worthy. And that’s all part of the charm. You get the sense that the cast are having as much fun as the audience, and what it might lack in polish, it more than makes up for in pure fun and spirit.

If you’re up for an hour of light-hearted fun, Treasure Island is exactly the sort of adventure worth setting sail for.

Dev Rama (aged 6)

Treasure Island has three funny pirates and one captain which is very, very serious. There is a mum, a daughter and a man. The pirates are trying to find the treasure so they can be more powerful. The mum and the daughter and the man are trying to find the treasure too. The mum and the daughter and the man accidentally go on to the pirate ship! But then they all figure out that the sailors were pirates. It is funny and very good. I liked all of the parts; like the ghost, and when they were walking the plank on a leash, and the black spot, and getting to boo at pirates, and cheer, and saying “olé!”, and also getting a photo with the actors at the end.

Luna Rama (aged 8)

Treasure Island is about a greedy pirate called Long Joan Silver who wanted everything for herself, she lied to all of her pirate friends. There is a girl called Daisy who really wants to go on an adventure but she is just a maid. Her mum won’t let her. There is also this really rich guy and a mysterious guy who hates pirates.

I liked the part when they were at the beard seller and kept getting disguised. I also liked the part when Daisy came into the audience and talked to people. I liked the part when Beryl was talking to the seagulls, and how she was talking to a ball, and how she named all of the trees. Joan really wanted everything for herself. She was selfish. I really liked it. It’s funny and the pirates aren’t too scary- they’re actually quite funny.

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