Botanic Gardens, Things to do  |  27 Jan 2020

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Venture into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens this week and you might find swashbuckling pirates on the search for hidden treasure.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel Treasure Island is being brought to life in the gardens by Rollicking Entertainment for this year’s Anthony Harper Summer Theatre.

Rollicking Entertainment will be putting their own comical spin on the tale and audiences can expect to be plunged into a world of buccaneers, buried gold, treasure maps, treacherous waters and a mild dose of scurvy.

“If you like sword fights, ridiculous dancing, witty one-liners and rapid-fire storytelling you will love this production of Treasure Island.

“Anthony Harper Summer Theatre is one of highlights of the SummerTimes programme and this production is one that will delight both young and old,’’ says Christchurch City Council Events and Arts Manager Lucy Blackmore.

Treasure Island is a free show but koha donations will be gratefully accepted by Rollicking Entertainment.

People are welcome to bring outdoor chairs and picnic blankets to sit on but because the show is being staged in the Botanic Gardens dogs must be kept at home.

The show lasts about 95 minutes and includes a 15-minute interval.

Treasure Island runs from Wednesday 29 January to 16 February. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights the performance begins at 6.30pm. At the weekends there will be a 1.30pm show in addition to a 6.30pm show. On Waitangi Day, Thursday 6 February, there will also be an additional 1.30pm show. There will be no performances of Treasure Island on Mondays and Tuesdays.