Review: 'Treasure Island' at Resounding Theatre
Resounding Theater, with creative director Steve Wargo, is producing a series of audio-only programs based on many classic stories. The most recent edition is Stevenson’s rollicking buccaneer tale ‘Treasure Island.’ Resounding is creatively packaging the program as a high-tech “3-d soundscape” with live professional actors. It prefaces each show with festive ideas to create some mirthful home audience appeal. Recipes for thematic cocktails and snacks, suggestions for pre-theatre music and a virtual lobby are part of the fun. Some theatre purists may not buy in as they might see it as dressing the rec room for a Super Bowl party or a dress-up Mad Hatter’s tea. But credit to Resounding for trying something original while brick and mortar theatres are dark.
With a cast of seven (each actor playing multiple parts) it loyally follows the original storyline as young Jim Hawkins (Maggie Lakis) narrates his adventures in 18th century England and the consequential high seas adventure with mutiny, pieces of eight, and murder all around. The other main character, Long John Silver (Rob McLure – from a lengthy Broadway career), swaggers as a friendly host until young Jim overhears his mutinous plot and the story turns angry. The uprising occurs just as they arrive on the mysterious island where the holy grail of massive treasure is to be found. Jim moves from role of victor to prisoner and back again to claim the treasure and cast off the mutineers.
Each accent is brilliantly distinct giving each character their own unique brand. Highlights include Jim’s cockney mom (Victoria Huston-Elem) with her pleasant and charming old-world accent. Her squawking parrot was brilliant with ‘pieces of eight’ ringing throughout the play. Christian Elan Ortiz offered great diversity in his accents playing the captain, Ben Gunn and Robbie. McLure’s bellowing laugh was perfect for hiding his evil plotting.
Resounding boasts “live immersive audio entertainment” with an uptick in audio technology. The sound was brilliantly clear and some special stereo effects were clever, but there was no distinction from any usual audio production. Echoing effects created the haunting mood of scenes of suspense. Sounds moving from foreground to background aided in picturing characters’ movement. Dramatic music was used sparingly, but, as usual, the compelling sounds of bagpipes suggest both the sadness of loss and the cheer of victory. As suggested by the producers the use of earbuds enhanced the experience.
As suggested, credit to Resounding for trying to enhance the sound experience, but in the end it is still a ‘radio play.’ We do hope they garner an audience and it is notable when they suggest that ‘eyes deserve a break’ in this particular era of unmitigated screen time. However, there may be many who would prefer to sit in a rocking chair and read these great classics out loud with a five-year-old on their knee.
‘Treasure Island’ – Robert Louis Stevenson
Produced by – Resounding Theater
Artistic Director – Steve Wargo
Performers – Rob McLure, Maggie Lakis, Victoria Huston-Elem, Christian Elan Ortiz, Kurt Uy, Rolonda Watts, Stuart Williams
Tickets at resounding.live.
To learn more about Resounding Theatre and their upcoming productions, please visit their Facebook page for more information: Resounding OR their website: http://resounding.live.