Treasure Island
06 August 2026
Arches Lane Theatre
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Treasure Island, an interactive 1hr show aimed at children 4+, is currently running at the Arches Lane Theatre until 16 August, with shows running Thursday to Sunday at 11am and 2pm.
The show follows Jim Hawkins’ story when the young boy is given a treasure map by the mysterious Billy Bones, which leads him on an exciting treasure hunt with quirky characters like Squire Trelawney and Long John Silver. A familiar piratical adventure adapted into an interactive children’s show with plenty of audience interaction.
The structure of the show is very high energy, aimed at the children in the audience and their enjoyment of the story. The performers are delightfully skilled at engaging even the shyest children, without pressure but through fun and enthusiasm. It’s great to see so many options for interaction while the three actors jump from role to role and tell the story at a whirlwind pace.
While the show is definitely appropriate for children, to make it fully aimed at the younger age range advertised, the language would need a little updating. It’s just a bit too complex for children 4+ and would benefit from simplified language to really connect with that age range. The way it is currently presented, the language would be more suitable for children 8+, while the engagement and interactions are definitely perfect for younger children.
So with a little more attention to detail and overhauling of the complexity of the script, this could become an absolutely stellar show for younger theatregoers. It is already incredibly funny and well presented with very high energy and so much excitement!
