Review of Treasure Island at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

Everyone knows the famous story of Treasure Island, either in detail or in the basic knowledge of Long John Silver, Captain Flint, the parrot, and young Jack Hawkins, as well as his treasure map. However, physical and riotous theatre group Le Navet Bete's adaptation of that same story, docked at Royal & Derngate now, spins a slightly more bizarre version.

Le Navet Bete (which translates as The Daft Turnip) is not a French group but was formed in 2008 in Plymouth when the members met while studying. Now based in Exeter, they have made a name for themselves with their shows, which combine clowning, physical slapstick, pantomime, and general buffoonery. Treasure Island was my first encounter with the group, and based on this, I can't wait to see more.

Four actors perform in this show: Al Dunn, Matt Freeman, Nick Bunt, and Simon Sebastian Burbage. All play different characters from the story, although Bunt stays as Hawkins throughout much of the show. As expected, they are all superb and work well as an ensemble. However, Freeman consistently steals the scenes through his multitude of characters, including numerous female ones, which may be seen and never forgotten. Often, it is just a stare through to your soul with those piercing eyes at the audience, which brings laughter.

The show follows Robert Louis Stevenson's story well, much of the time. Still, it drifts delightfully astray, particularly with an inspiring TV gameshow sequence leading to Hawkins eventually becoming in charge of the schooner that allows his journey, amusingly named The Jolly Todger. Captain Flint, the parrot, has also been renamed Alexa, allowing for some excellent jokes throughout, many of them inspired and amusing the audience. Elsewhere, the story is diverted to include a ravishing Mermaid, filling the comedy antics further.

The show is presented with the performers microphoned. While this should and does mainly help audience members hear the dialogue, it is over-amplified, which can cause the dialogue to be lost when the characters are shouting. Unfortunately, many lyrics are lost during the songs performed due to the music levels and volume.

There is perhaps an assumption that Treasure Island is aimed more at children than adults, like a pantomime. However, in reality, the show provides more for grown-ups, and indeed, the audience during the performance I saw was made up more of people on the wrong side of forty than of the school-going fraternity. This is not to say Treasure Island isn't suitable for all; this is for all the family, with enough antics to keep the children entertained while the adults can slyly laugh at the jokes aimed at them.

Treasure Island is a fabulous couple of hours of theatre entertainment, filled with clever ideas and laugh-out-loud moments guaranteed to entertain all. It is highly recommended if it hits land anywhere near you.

Shiver me timbers! Tis be a cracking and comic masterclass!
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Friday, 2nd May 2025, at the Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton.

Treasure Island is on stage at Royal & Derngate until Saturday, 3rd May 2025, before continuing its tour.

For details of Le Navet Bete, see https://www.lenavetbete.com/

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets, see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Photos: Mark Dawson

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A Small Mind At The Theatre

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