Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, the audience were in hysterics at the L

By J Sydney-Leigh

Anything staged at Above the Stag Theatre, famed for its LGBT focus, will offer a liberal portrayal of gender roles and sexual orientation. When I knew I was scheduled to see a panto there, I expected the progressive manifesto of the theatre to present itself in men wearing wigs, tight spandex and lashings of glitter. I foresaw an abundance of sexual in-your-end-os and mused on a gay approach to the classic panto audience shout-out ‘he’s behind you!’ It turns out that my speculations were incredibly tame compared to the sexual anarchy of this show, as the frisky characters speak fluent crude through filthy no holes barred [ho ho] humour and ‘too soon?’ topical jokes. Thankfully, the narrative manages to stays afloat in this action-packed shipping adventure, and despite occasional lack of pace and somewhat over-done controversy, [Ebola- check, Jihadist beheadings- check], ‘Treasure Island: The Curse of the Pearl Necklace’ makes for a gay old evening.

David Shields’ set is truly impressive for a small stage, as a detailed construction of ‘The Royal Bum Boy’ hotel is replaced by a ship and then some skilled scene-setting projections. Costumes establish character, and are often extravagant, sparkly and pride-coloured to match the glow stick necklaces that the audience members don as their entry ticket. Director Andrew Beckett is in his element with the interactive panto format, and he conducts the commotion of this large cast with enough clarity to keep us on board. When I heard a guy behind me bemusedly ask ‘What the f*ck is going on?!’ it was in comment of the joyous pandemonium rather than confusion of its delivery.

Philip Lawrence plays the hospitably despicable landlady Sally Hawkins [at your cervix], and he masters this alcoholic panto dame with traditional cross-dressing hilarity. Briony Rawle plays Marina, the endearing lesbian cook who is on the search for a girlfriend [aawwwww], and Jim [Lucas Livesy] is Sally’s wide-eyed son, who’s recent break-up has left him with a desire to travel the world. Speaking angrily of his ex-boyfriend, he says ‘What an arsehole’, to which Sally replies, ‘I remember you saying it was nice’: one example of the many double entendres that colour Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper’s witty script.

The narrator comes in the form of a merman called Ethel, played excellently by Hugh O’Donnel. Frequently popping in on his rock, he masters the comedy of his restricting costume and delivers his smartarse sass at the characters’ expense. A highlight of the show is a hilarious song in which he reveals his ambition to become a real man. Ethel is at odds with Long John Silver, the wretched pirate baddy who fuels the action of the play as the characters get caught up in his treasure hunt. He wears a sidekick parrot that chimes in with an elderly lady voice-over, but her jokes often fall flat and I feel that Alex Wood could be a bit badder as the baddy. Luke Webber provides the eye-candy of the play as pretty boy Daryl, the scantily clad son of Neptune who brings a ‘happy ending’ to Jim’s sexual frustrations, and there is more romance on offer when Ellen Butler steals Marina’s affections as Josephine: the spoiled and shrill-speaking Captain’s daughter, perfectly cast in this caricatured part. Her father [are you keeping up?!] is played with lovable naivety by Andrew Truluck, and is in perpetual pursuit of Sally Hawkins, who could probably eat him for breakfast [if something sexual comes to mind now, this show is for you].

This adult show will not make for a children or grandparent friendly evening, but it is a chance to reclaim the traditional family panto outing for a group of friends. You do not have to be gay to enjoy this show, but you ought to have a taste for the controversial, a penchant for the sexually explicit and not be afraid to sing along [lyrics provided]. Best served with a drink in hand, this naughty-cal pantomime will provide another sell-out success for Above the Stag this Christmas.

★ ★ ★ ★

‘Treasure Island: The Curse of The Pearl Necklace’ by Above The Stag Theatre

Written by Jon Bradfield & Martin Hooper

Director- Andrew Beckett

Producer- Peter Bull

Music & lyrics- Jon Bradfield

Set Design- David Shields

Photo credit- Derek Drescher

Above the Stag Theatre, Vauxhall

28th Nov – 10th Jan 2015 | Tues – Fri 7.30pm | Sat 3.30pm & 7.30pm | Sun 2pm & 6pm

£18

Book tickets here: http://www.abovethestag.com/shows/

#reviews