Treasure Island

by Joseph George Caruso

Dramatized by Aurand Harris. An exciting theatrical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel. 1 woman, 12 men (some roles may be doubled), in 5 scenes or 3 suggested sets. 18th century English costumes.

Along with young Jim Hawkins, the audience sails abroad the HMS Hispanola for a daring adventure on Treasure Island. In a conflict between good and evil, Jim courageously faces danger, learns that evil can masquerade as "good," and matures from a boy into manhood. All of Stevenson's famous characters are aboard -- the good doctor and the Squire, the sinister Blind Pew, the marooned Ben Gunn, the infamous Long John Silver, and a colorful crew of buccaneers. Young audiences will thrill to the lightning adventure, exotic settings, sea chanteys, and the salty pirate dialogue that makes this new dramatization of Jim Hawkins' adventures irresistible in the hands of Aurand Harris, America's master playwright for young people.

47 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Treasure Island only in name, as it only follows the book in broad, broad strokes. Broad strokes. So broad. Still less boring than the Max Bush version, however. Adds more women, but they don't do much. The role of Auntie Nan is particularly irritating as a high-strung idiot, and Jim's female counterpart Laurie is there to create "equality" but ends up relegated to a set piece. Only forty-some minutes in length, so not particularly appropriate for anything more than a school play. The dialogue is nothing to write home about, and yet despite all of this I found it entertaining if for no other reason than pure surprise at the inaccuracies.