Treasure Island Musical | Eastbourne G&S

COMING SOON

Treasure Island

Ahoy, Eastbourne! This winter, Eastbourne G&S is charting a course for the High Seas, and we want you to join our crew!

Forget what you think you know about traditional pirating—we’ve commissioned a brand-new musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic, Treasure Island. This isn’t just a play; it’s a foot-stomping, harmony-filled spectacular that blends the salt-spray grit of authentic sea shanties with the soaring melodies and wit of light opera.

It’s a family-friendly voyage that stays true to the heart of the original book while bringing a fresh, modern energy to the stage.

We are looking for a vibrant, talented cast to bring this swashbuckling world to life. Whether you’re a seasoned lead or looking to join our formidable chorus, there’s a place for you on the Hispaniola.

A Gender-Balanced Adventure: We’ve updated several iconic roles to provide more opportunities for female performers, ensuring a balanced, dynamic cast that reflects our modern community.

The Best of Both Worlds: Flex your vocal muscles with everything from rowdy, rhythmic shanties to elegant, operatic numbers.

A True Ensemble Piece: From sinister pirates to brave sailors, every role is designed to shine.

Event Dates / Locations

Auditions: Late August 2026, Eastbourne (Details TBC)

Rehearsals: Mon & Wed Evenings (Sept – Dec), Langney, Eastbourne

Show Dates: 11th – 13th December 2026, The Grove Theatre, Eastbourne

Director: Tim Telford

Musical Director: Tony Biggin

Adaptation by: Rowan Stanfield

The Story

Young Jim Hawkins finds a map leading to the legendary "Treasure Island." But the journey is more than just a hunt for gold; it’s a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse against the charismatic but dangerous Long John Silver. From the fog-drenched quays of Bristol to the tropical shores of the Caribbean, our heroes must navigate mutiny, mystery, and the search for what truly matters.

First serialised in a children’s magazine in the early 1880s, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island didn't just tell a story; it defined the entire pirate genre as we know it. From the "X marks the spot" maps to the one-legged sea cook with a parrot on his shoulder, Stevenson’s imagination became the blueprint for high-seas adventure. Over the last century, the tale has proven its status as an enduring classic through countless iconic adaptations—from the definitive 1950 Disney live-action film to the Muppets’ beloved musical mayhem and even the gritty, cinematic world of Black Sails. It is a story that has been reimagined for every generation, and now, Eastbourne G&S is proud to continue that tradition, blending the book’s timeless grit with a fresh, musical spirit that feels both nostalgic and brand new.

Perform With Us!

A Gender-Balanced Adventure: We’ve updated several iconic roles to provide more opportunities for female performers, ensuring a balanced, dynamic cast that reflects our modern community.

The Best of Both Worlds: Flex your vocal muscles with everything from rowdy, rhythmic shanties to elegant, operatic numbers.

A True Ensemble Piece: From sinister pirates to brave servants, every role is designed to shine. There are lots of parts up for grabs, from small speaking-only cameos to leading roles with solo singing.

Sign up today to be the first to receive the full audition pack and further information as soon as it's available! Feel free to email us if you have any questions about the production meanwhile.

A full character list is below.

Characters

Due to the large number of characters in the story, there will likely be some doubling up required in this production. This allows a relatively small cast to populate a world that feels much larger. It’s designed so that characters who appear primarily in the first act (at the Admiral Benbow Inn) "reincarnate" as sailors or pirates once the voyage begins.

For actors, this is a fantastic challenge, as it often involves playing two contrasting personalities.

Here is a rundown of the available roles:

Leads (non-doubling)

Jemima ‘Jim’ Hawkins: (Tenor/Mezzo, male or female, playing age 12-16) As the heart of the story and our brave young protagonist, Jim remains Jim from the first scene at the inn to the final discovery of the treasure.

Dr. Diana Livesey: (Soprano) The level-headed and observant doctor stays consistent throughout the voyage, serving as a moral compass for the crew.

Squire Trelawney: (Baritone) The flamboyant and somewhat foolish landowner is a standalone role, providing much of the comedy and driving the plot to set sail.

Captain Alexandra Smollett: (Alto) Strict, professional ship’s captain.

Long John Silver: (Bass) Cunning, charismatic pirate cook.

Georgiana Merry: A pirate with a mind of her own, Georgiana remains part of Silver’s crew throughout the journey, though she does appear in the Tavern

Israel Hands: (Bass-baritone) Intimidating, drunken pirate.

Supporting Cast

Soprano

Sally Hawkins: Jim’s older sister; pragmatic and sensible. (Doubles: Anne Morgan)

Martha Joyce: Loyal ship's mate. (Doubles: Mary)

Anne Morgan: Pirate on Silver's crew. (Doubles: Sally Hawkins)

Mezzo-Soprano
Mrs. Hawkins: Long-suffering innkeeper. (Doubles: Jo Anderson)

Jo Anderson: Boatswain; loyal to Silver. (Doubles: Mrs. Hawkins)

Martha Joyce: Loyal ship's mate. (Doubles: Mary)

Tenor

Kit O’Malley: Pirate on Silver’s crew. (Doubles: Sidney)

Baritone
Billy Bones: Gruff, drunken pirate with a secret. (Doubles: Abraham Gray)

Benjamin Gunn: Marooned, eccentric pirate; requires patter ability. (Doubles: Dirk)

Abraham Gray: Pirate who turns loyal to Smollett. (Doubles: Billy Bones)
Blind Pew: Menacing, elderly pirate. (Doubles: Tom Hunter)

Tom Hunter: Loyal ship’s mate. (Doubles: Blind Pew)

Dick Johnson: Mutinous crew member. (Doubles: Johnny)

Speaking Only (Non-solo singing)
Johnny: Pew’s accomplice. (Doubles: Dick Johnson)

Dirk: Pew’s accomplice. (Doubles: Ben Gunn)

Sidney: Ship's crew. (Doubles: Kit O'Malley)

Mary: Ship's crew. (Doubles: Martha Joyce)

Tavern Guests / Pirate Chorus