Ahoy there! Set sail for pantomime delight with Treasure Island at Scarborough's YMCA Theatre

Written and directed by Claire Douglas, the mix of pirates and panto-antics is awash with fun, laughter, song and dance suitable for all ages.

The young cast is full of exuberance and energy and deliver a traditional pantomime – complete with ad-libs and improvised rejoinders – with aplomb.

Leading the way are Anne Wallis-Scholey as Jim Hawkins, the pub potboy turned treasure hunter, and Tom Elliott as one of the most saltiest of seadogs ever created, Long John Silver. They are the beating heart of the show.

The chemistry between the two shivered the timbers as they journey to a desert island in search of gold and, instead, find there are some things, including friendship, that money cannot buy.

Not that the show is a maudlin, mawkish mess – rather it is a merry mix of one-liners, slapstick and audience participation that entertains to the max.

There are lots of chances to shout “It’s behind you!”, boo, hiss, clap, stamp your feet and sing-along.

Carrying off one of the toughest jobs in panto is Scarlett Winspear. She dons frightful wigs and dreadful dresses as the dame, usually played by a man.

She flirts and flutters as she goes after her man, Captain Smallett played by Skye Barr-Powell. The pair milk the comedy for all its worth.

Long John’s lively crew is brought to life by Maddison Blackford as Blue Peter, Neve Bolton as One-eyed Wendy and Scarlett Barker-Gee as Dizzy Dolly, each making the most of their cameos.

It is down to Ashton Sheader to set a terrifying – but not too terrifying – tone as he opens the panto as Billy Bones recounting a tale of scary seafaring with a one-legged man.

He is terrific and then dons a feathery costume to play Long John’s bird companion Gully.

Lily Hayes plays squiffy Squire Trelawney and Sophie Corstorphine is a buttoned-up, straight Mr Arrow.

Of course, this is a team effort and the support cast has much to do as villagers and ship’s crew and are put through their paces in numbers including ABBA’s Money, Money Money.

There are excellent chase scenes, sword fights, water guns and, no pantomime would be complete without it, gunge.

The costumes, sets and lighting are first class with production values high. The stage is dressed as a wide range of settings from pub to poop deck.

There are delightful local touches and cultural references, especially recognisable to the grown-ups and a panto mash-up – but to detail them would be to spoil the surprises.

It is safe to say, the YMCA Theatre panto Treasure Island is a family treat packed with golden moments, wonderful performances, music and laughter to see audiences happily into a new year.

Main cast

Annie Wallis-Scholey as Jim Hawkins; Tom Elliott, Long John Silver;

Scarlett Winspear, Widow Hawkins; Skye Barr-Powell, Captain Smallett;

Maddison Blackford, Blue Peter; Neve Bolton, One-eyed Wendy; Scarlett Barker-Gee as Dizzy Dolly;

Ashton Sheader, Billy Bones and Gully; Emma Simpson, Genie of the Brew; Lily Hayes, Squire Trelawney and Sophie Corstorphine, Mr Arrow.

Supporting cast

Alice Jones; Isabella Young; Finn Ackroyd; Charlie Ackroyd; Layton Blake-Stubbings; Zoe Devall; Elsie Dufton; Gray Flinton; Pippa Flinton and Almas Hasan.

Production team

Claire Jones, writer/director;

Julie Hatton, choreographer;

Matt Brooksbank, vocal coach and Keagan Jones, production assistant.

Crew

Jack Dobson and Tom Jey, sound design/technicians;

Lighting design/technician, James Ferguson;

Chris Bullivant, stage manager and Rebecca Briggs, pro

Treasure Island is on at the YMCA Theatre, St Thomas Street, Scarborough, until Saturday January 3, daily at 1pm and at 6pm on Monday December 29, Tuesday December 30 and Saturday January 3.

Tickets cost from £10 and are available on the door, from 01723 506750 and online at: https://ymcatheatre.ticketsolve.com/