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88 London Road Productions has begun a ten-day run at Brighton Open Air Theatre presenting Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of mutiny and greed on the high seas.

The script, music and lyrics are skilfully crafted by Mike Carter who has injected lots of comical moments and playful songs throughout, which enliven the swashbuckling tale. There are also a few surprising tangents.

Wannabe pirates Cutthroat Jake (Harry Hart) and Dead-Eyed Dick (James Darby) work as a blundering comedic double-act performing songs such as It’s A Pirate's Life For Me.

Jamie Kenna makes a formidable, one-legged Long John Silver (complete with parrot) who, despite his ruthlessness, still wishes upon the North Star.

The youngest star of all, Billy Cashin, does a great job as Jim Hawkins, the child hero who recounts the tale: “Long John Silver was my friend, or I thought he was, until one night…”

In the tale he finds himself at the centre of the plotting pirates when, from his hiding place in the apple barrel aboard the Hispaniola, he overhears Long John’s murderous plot to usurp the treasure from their island destination. However in this family-friendly show directed by James Weisz the rum-swigging, back-stabbing pirates are never too scary for young children.

The highlight of the show has got to be Conor Baum’s hilarious solo performance as deranged, marooned Benn Gunn, singing his ode to cheese: “So help me please, I want some cheese, there’s simply nothing better than the taste of English cheddar…”

The unique performance culminates in a cabaret-style dance with supporting glammed-up dancers, which brings a film-like dream sequence and a fantasy dimension to the show.

The audience made up in laughs and applause for what they lacked in numbers on this balmy opening night. The cast of 11 certainly make it a performance worth staying out for with your flask of tea (or mug of rum).