Treasure Island | School Play 2025

SCHOOL PLAY 2025

Treasure Island

By Robert Louis Stevenson Adapted by Bryony Lavery

By Arrangement with ORiGiNTM Theatrical On Behalf of Samuel French A Concord Theatricals Company

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Fintona Girls’ School

DIRECTOR’S NOTE Welcome to Fintona’s 2025 School Play, Treasure Island.

My goal when selecting a script for the School Play is always to try to provide something completely different to what came before to ensure that students are developing their knowledge and skills in the world of theatre. So, when I first read this new version of Treasure Island by Bryony Lavery and the world inhabited by pirates (and definitely no roller skates) came vividly to life, I knew that it would be a fantastic piece for Fintona. I immediately loved the ensemble feel to the piece and the dynamic physicality I felt the story demanded. I was sure it would be a great fit when I read Bryony Lavery’s explanation of why she made the protagonist female. I absolutely agree that Jim’s gender is irrelevant to the narrative and the key themes of adventure and honesty are at the forefront. A part of me also wanted to prove Robert Louis Stevenson wrong with his original title for Treasure Island, “The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys”. This is a story for everyone.

To create this immersive experience, I have staged the play “in-the-round”, a configuration where the stage is enclosed by the audience. My aim is to create the sense of isolation that the characters feel, both on the ship and the island, and to also include the audience in the most immediate way possible. Working in this non-traditional space has been a challenge and constant source of inspiration. When I see the actors on the stage, I am so proud of how they have embraced the dynamic nature of the storytelling and make the demanding blocking of the piece look effortless. And for you, in the audience, you can rest assured that wherever you are sitting, you are getting a unique look into Jim’s world as she navigates her path to find Treasure Island.

Once again, this year, I have been ably supported by the very wonderful, John Batterham, in his role as Production Administrator. John’s love of theatre, his support of our students and his immense skill in juggling the many organisational aspects of the production have been integral to the smooth running of Treasure Island and I could not be more grateful. Joining the team for 2025 is Sienna Thomas, an old Fintonian (2024) who has taken on the roles of Assistant Director and Costume Designer. As a theatre and drama teacher, my goal is always that students will take the skills they have acquired and their passion for the artform with them when they graduate. It has been incredibly gratifying therefore, to see Sienna’s creativity take flight with this show and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to collaborate with her again.

And with that, let the journey begin!

Bronwyn Bye Drama Learning Leader/Director School Play 2025

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THE PLAY

It’s a dark and stormy night. Jim, the inn-keeper’s granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in - and her dangerous voyage begins. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story of murder, money and mutiny, premiered at the National Theatre, London, in December 2014, in a thrilling adaptation

by Bryony Lavery.

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Fintona Girls’ School

WHY DID BRYONY LAVERY CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF JIM TO A GIRL?

“Robert Louis Stevenson said very explicitly when he published the book that it was a story that was for boys only (The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys) and I think that we felt coming to adapt that and to put it on stage that we wanted to find a way of making it clear that the story was for boys and for girls.

And that making Jim a girl felt like a really appropriate gesture in that direction. I think we stayed loyal to the innate character of Jim that Louis Stevenson portrays in the book. One of someone who’s young but intelligent, and the fact that she’s a girl in this production is actually insignificant... it’s about adventure.” Bryony Lavery

School Play 2025

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CAST

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Aahana

Aakriti

Aarushi

Amelie

Angeline

Aurelia

Caterina

Charlene

Charlotte

Claire

Claudia

Cynthia

Fintona Girls’ School

CAST

Danika

Diya

Emily

Evelyn

Georgia

Grace

Hana

Helene

Inaayah

Ivanka

Ixlu

Jessica

School Play 2025

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CAST

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Jos

Julie

Katara

Kaylani

Madeleine

Mallika

Mia

Ollie

Oneli

Riya

Scarlett

Toqa

Fintona Girls’ School

CAST

Vicky

School Play 2025

Zoe

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CAST

Jim (Tuesday and Thursday)

Charlene Oneli

Jim (Wednesday and Friday)

Scarlett Yiyun (Evelyn) Sumsum (Diya) Josephine (Jos) Claire Zoe (Ollie) Yujie (Emily) Georgia Aahana Madeleine Kalyani Aurelia Amelie Jiaxin (Jessica) Xingyu (Julie) Caterina Yichun (Helene) Ivanka Yongxi (Vicky) Ixlu Valentina (Ixlu) Angeline Aarushi Mallika Aahana, Aakriti, Charlene, Charlotte, Claudia, Cynthia, Danika, Georgia, Grace, Hana, Inaayah, Katara, Mia Kaili, Oneli, Riya, Scarlett, Toqa, (Yujie) Emily, Yiyun (Evelyn), Zoe

Long John Silver Squire Trelawney Doctor Livesey Captain Smollett Ben Gunn Grandma Hawkins Bill Bones Captain Flint Black Dog George Badger Joan the Goat Red Ruth Grey Declan the Dandy Israel Hands Job Anderson Mrs Crossley Blind Pew Silent Sue Lucky Micky Killigrew the Kind Ensemble

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Fintona Girls’ School

PRODUCTION

Director/Producer/Designer Bronwyn Bye

Assistant Director/Costume Designer Sienna Thomas (Fintona Alumni)

Production Administrator John Batterham

Lighting Installation and Operation Daniel Bowen (Clear Systems)

Head Stage Manager Dana Riley

Technical Crew Della, Kanak

Stage Managers Amy, Emma, Hana, Karen, Maayra

Set Construction Brett Bates, Jack Harvey, Luke Gaynor

Scenic Artists Alec Marsland, Luke Gaynor

Photography Kelli Morris

Front of House Management John Batterham

Marketing and Communications Zoe Alexiades

Ushers Charlotte, Evelyn, Flora, Jessica, Leonor, Olivia, Steph, Tayla

Make Up Assistants Linda Lau, Wendy Southward, Sally Houguet

School Play 2025

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FINTONA GIRLS’ SCHOOL 79 Balwyn Road Balwyn VIC 3103 Australia CRICOS 00139C +61 3 9830 1388 fgs@fintona.vic.edu.au fintona.vic.edu.au