This winter, a brand-new musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure Treasure Island will debut at The Grove Theatre, Eastbourne, from 11th–13th December 2026. Local performers are invited to audition.
For writer and producer Rowan Stanfield, the production represents a deeply personal, full-circle journey rooted in Eastbourne’s theatrical history.
“I was first introduced to Treasure Island via a stage production at the Tivoli Theatre here in Eastbourne in the 1980s,” says Rowan. “My father appeared in the show, playing both Blind Pew and Benjamin Gunn. As Pew, he was chilling; the tap-tapping of his stick ran shivers down my spine. He also designed and built the set, which cunningly transformed from the Inn to the Hispaniola. And my brother Devin, who had just returned from filming the BBC series The Box of Delights, played Jim Hawkins.”
Years later, a holiday spent on a wooden boat in Spain cemented Rowan’s love for the text, which she read aloud during the trip. “The soundtrack of creaking, clanking, and lapping water added to the rich atmosphere of Stevenson’s text,” Rowan recalls. “When I started to think about a musical adaptation last year, I naturally re-read it and found myself re-discovering the characters as if reuniting with old friends.”
Rowan has been involved in the theatre all her life, both as a performer and crew member. Her late parents, Jo Sands and Geoff Stanfield, were well-known stalwarts who lent their talents to all of Eastbourne’s theatres both on stage and behind the scenes over the decades. Now she’s excited to be bringing her own adaptation of Treasure Island to the town.
Strictly not a pantomime, this musical version features sea shanties and music from the light opera canon, contemporary to the book’s 1880s origins. While staying faithful to the grit and drama of the text, it has been deliberately reimagined to be more gender-balanced for a 21st-century audience.
“The original story is very masculine,” Rowan explains. “There may not have been female doctors or sea captains back then because the patriarchy prevented women’s access to those careers, but we know women are perfectly capable. This version offers a history that should have been.”
The production boasts a powerhouse local creative team, with Director Trish Richings (Calendar Girls, The Actress at Lewes and Seaford Little Theatres, respectively) joined by renowned musician and composer Tony Biggin as Musical Director, and Tiffany Lynn as choreographer.
Principal Roles & Audition Opportunities
At the heart of the show is the tense, emotive dynamic between cut-throat yet charming villain Long John Silver and the brave young Jim Hawkins. “We’re looking for performers with the necessary gravitas to bring these two iconic roles to life,” says Rowan, “and there are many other fun, challenging parts, such as the flamboyant Squire Trelawney, the eccentric Benjamin Gunn, the sensible Captain Smollett, and a whole host of gruesome pirates! We hope that local performers will rise to the challenge and join us to bring this new adaptation to life”.
Key roles available include:
Long John Silver (Bass): The ultimate anti-hero—charming but completely unscrupulous.
Jim Hawkins (Tenor/Mezzo, Playing age 11–14, any gender): The earnest, courageous protagonist who discovers the treasure map.
Squire Trelawney (Baritone): The wealthy, overly enthusiastic, and naive local squire.
Dr Livesey (Soprano): The level-headed, highly intelligent, and deeply moral doctor.
Captain Smollett (Alto): The sharp, disciplined, and strictly professional captain of the Hispaniola.
Benjamin Gunn (Comic Baritone): The wild, high-energy maroon left on the island for years.
For a full character list, visit TreasureIslandMusical.info
Key Dates for Performers:
Familiarisation / Auditions Workshop: Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Auditions: Monday 7th September 2026
Rehearsals: Monday and Wednesday evenings starting in September
Show Dates: 11th – 13th December 2026 at The Grove Theatre, Eastbourne.
To secure an audition slot and receive the official audition pack, performers can sign up via the online form at TreasureIslandMusical.info