Hispaniola had some laugh out loud moments. On a long voyage a cook is needed and the infamous pirate, Long John Silver, our pantomime villain, takes the job, “Arr, Jim lad”! To play this role in the concept of this production was a big tricone hat to fill. Aaron Triplett measured up to the demands and did not disappoint goading the audience into hisses and boos (John Cleese would have made a good understudy). Somehow the ship arrives at Skeleton Island with no thanks to the wholly inept Captain Smollett. Sam Davies captured the posing, larger-than-life silliness of the character with drive and plenty of fizz. The Island is where Flint’s Treasure is buried and unbeknown by everyone, they are all manipulated by Flint. This part of the plot could have been written by Eric Idle. Playing Flint as a parrot who is really a grey seagull (the sort that steals your chips) was Eric Atkinson. This was a gleeful cameo role squawking “Cracker” throughout. Great stage presence! All the supporting and ensemble characters were all having a great time so that the chemistry of the whole company created a lively and bouncy buccaneering pantomime. Finally, I cannot close without mentioning The Barton Theatre Company front of house, stage crew and tech teams. Great job!
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