Treasure Island (play)
| Company type | Theatrical play |
|---|---|
| Industry | Theatre |
| Founded | 1915 |
| Founder | Jules Eckert Goodman |
| Headquarters | Albany, New York , United States |
| Products | Stage play adaptation of Treasure Island |
Treasure Island is a theatrical work in four acts crafted by Jules Eckert Goodman, adapted from the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Initially released in 1915 through Samuel French, Inc., this play was subsequently featured in the 1926 collection Another Treasury of Plays for Children (Little, Brown and Company), edited by Montrose Jonas Moses. Although not the earliest adaptation for the stage, Goodman's rendition was the first to garner notable critical acclaim and commercial profitability, securing both "fame and fortune" for its playwright.
Production history
The debut performance of Treasure Island took place on November 8, 1915, at Hermanus Bleecker Hall in Albany, New York. It then transferred to Broadway’s Punch and Judy Theatre on December 1, 1915, where it continued until May 27, 1916. This commercially successful production was overseen by theatre proprietor Charles Hopkins and co-directed by Hopkins alongside Edward Emery. Maurice Rumsey contributed as musical director, composing original pieces and arranging existing works including Camille Saint-Saëns' Danse macabre. Costume design was managed by Ruth Vivian, with wig creation credited to Coyle and Deutschmann.
The initial cast included Mrs. Charles Hopkins portraying Jim Hawkins, Charles Hopkins as Ben Gunn, and Edward Emery in the role of Long John Silver. Additional principal actors were Leonard Willey as Captain Smollett, David Glassford playing Dr. Livesey, Edmund Gurney as Squire Trelawney, and Tim Murphy as Billy Bones.
After concluding its Broadway engagement, the production toured extensively through stock theatre companies across the United States. Following its publication in 1926, the play gained popularity within junior high and high school drama curricula as well as among amateur community theatre groups. A revival occurred at New York’s Hippodrome in 1938 under the direction of William Rathburn. Later, from December 1950 to January 1951, it was presented at London's Theatre Royal Stratford East featuring Michael Logan in the role of Long John Silver and Anna Wing as Mrs. Hawkins.