There's a play on at Southampton

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

What - Five on a Treasure Island £7
When - 21 - 23 June 2012 8pm
Where - The Talking Heads, 286 Portswood Road, Southampton

http://blagittheatrecompany.com/#/famou ... 4563484732" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is a clever adaption of the 1957 film, featuring a very fine Gay Viking. On a small stage at the back of a pub, the whole epic movie was performed in 8 thrilling episodes, and in real life colour... even the programme was a splendid Treasure Map.

There was an additional sub-plot, concerning Jan. As one who is sensitive to such things, having fallen foul of anti-racists in the last year, I felt very uncomfortable with it. A largely white audience was laughing at percieved racial stereo-typing, which in the final scene was totally turned on its head... (yes - it's complicated!)

I'm not sure that the finer points weren't lost on a couple I eavesdropped on whilst walking back to the car...Blyton in her private life was horrible, and the books were really full of racism and sexism, they were saying... There was a little bit of the to-be expected stereo-typing of the cliches of sexism and foreigners, but thankfully spiffing didn't appear in the dialogue (or I missed it!)

Overall, well written, well acted, well designed, and well worth the trip if you can get to Southampton in the next couple of days.

Viv

[Anita Bensoussane]

Thanks for the information, Viv.

There was an additional sub-plot, concerning Jan. As one who is sensitive to such things, having fallen foul of anti-racists in the last year, I felt very uncomfortable with it. A largely white audience was laughing at percieved racial stereo-typing, which in the final scene was totally turned on its head... (yes - it's complicated!)

"Anti-racists", or racists?

It sounds strange for Jan to be brought into the first book, when in the original series he's only in book 12. I suppose the writers regarded him as a comic character and included him to inject a touch of humour.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

"Anti-racists", or racists?

Last year I found that the one could be as intolerant as the other

This is Jan / Alf from the film and keeper-of-th-boat. In this version he wasn't all that he appeared, which confused the audience totally - though me in a different way to everyone else!

Viv

[Anita Bensoussane]

Ah - thanks for the explanation.

[poddys]

Sounds interesting, thanks Viv.

We only live a couple of miles away from Portswood - just need to persuade my other half that it could be a fun evening out.