2 min readFind out what Kathryn from the Visit Bristol team thought of Treasure Island, which is lighting up the Bristol Hippodrome until 10 January 2026.
A rip-roaring swashbuckling musical adventure for Christmas, Treasure Island at Bristol Old Vic is a great family adventure and a perfect way to celebrate the festive season.
It’s a fun retelling of the classic tale, starting by celebrating Bristol’s place in the story, with enough in-jokes to keep locals entertained without excluding those from out of town. With original new songs and a brief audience participation pirate singalong, it leans a little into panto while remaining an adventure that I already want to watch again.
With an outrageously talented cast led by Adryne Caulder-James as Jim Hawkins, the retelling of Treasure Island follows the story from the Admiral Benbow pub (in real life inspired by the Llandoger Trow across the way from the theatre in King Street) in Bristol to Treasure Island with pirates, parrots and gold and enough tugs on the heart strings to touch even the biggest Bah Humbug.
In her professional stage debut, Jayde Adams reveals in her multiple roles, but definitely the best Ben Gunn ever, and the best use of coconuts since Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
It’s a joyous adventure that advises the audience when it is going rogue on the traditional story and is even better for it.
Everything is right with this production, and treating yourself to a trip to Treasure Island should be at the top of everyone’s Christmas list.
We don’t award stars in our reviews, but if we did, it would be five, and it’s the best telling of Treasure Island since the muppets some 30 years ago. Possibly even better.
Book your tickets now
Tickets & visitor information
Treasure Island is at Bristol Old Vic until 10 January 2026. Book your tickets here.
Mon - Sat at 7pm
Matinees at 2pm on 13, 20, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 Dec and 3, 10 Jan
Matinees at 11am on 24 and 31 Dec
Age guidance: 7+. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility
Treasure Island has Audio Described, Captioned, Relaxed and BSL performances.
-
Sat 20 Dec - 2pm Matinee - Audio Described, Captioned
-
Mon 22 Dec - 2pm Matinee - Relaxed
-
Mon 22 Dec - 7pm - BSL Interpreted, (by Sherrie Eugene-Hart)
-
Sat 3 Jan - 2pm Matinee - Relaxed
Find out what else is on at Bristol Old Vic
