This semester, Strathclyde’s own theatre group, ReAct, took on the challenge of putting their own spin on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island—and it’s safe to say they delivered a show packed with laughs, quirks, and surprises.

From the moment the flamboyant and hilarious Mrs Hawkins (played by Fraser Brown) strutted onto the stage, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your typical pirate tale. Brown’s performance set the tone for the night, grabbing the audience’s attention from the very start.

The first act gives the audience a chance to meet a brilliant line-up of characters: the ever-hungry Squire Trelawney (Kai Lough), the adventurous Jenny Trawley (Sasha George), and a very love-struck Jim Hawkins (Cara Sheild). Their mission? To find treasure to save the pub owned by Mrs Hawkins and Jim—and, as they cheekily admit, because being rich sounds rather appealing too. The mix of chaotic humour, energetic storytelling, and an all-you-can-eat spotted dick (yes, the pudding) made it easy to get swept up in their wacky adventure.

One of the standout crowd-pleasers had to be Will Stewart as the scheming (but utterly hilarious) Long John Silver. His love-hate relationship with Polly the parrot (Erin Inglis) brought some of the funniest moments to the stage—who knew a pirate refusing to let his parrot perch on his shoulder could be so entertaining? The pirate crew didn’t disappoint either, with funny over-the-top antics and ridiculous names leaving the audience in stitches. And let’s not forget the sassy Women’s Institute characters, who gleefully joined the pirate antics, adding even more chaos and laughter to the mix.

As it was opening night, there were a few hiccups—missed cues, some dodgy lighting, awkward set changes, and the occasional clunky line delivery. Yet these only added to the charm, showing just how dedicated the actors were to their performances. By the second act, the cast had fully hit their stride, with any further missed cues feeling almost like part of the show. Breaking the fourth wall was a masterstroke, pulling the audience into the fun with plenty of “He’s behind you!” moments and even a group singalong to I Want to Dance with Somebody. Even the shyest audience members couldn’t resist getting involved.

The production made excellent use of the Royal College Assembly Hall. Rather than keeping everything confined to the stage, the cast used the whole room, making it feel as though the adventure was happening all around us. Whether it was actors sprinting past in ghost costumes or staging shootouts with plastic guns, the action never felt limited.

For a student production, Treasure Island was bursting with creativity and heart. The choreography was lively, the costumes packed with personality, and the entire cast looked like they were having the time of their lives. ReAct’s dedication really shone through, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. If this show is anything to go by, their next production will be one not to miss.