Gary Lineker To Appear As Notorious Pirate Captain Flint In Sandi Toksvig's TREASURE ISLAND

The world premiere of Treasure Island- penned by national treasure Sandi Toksvig exclusively for Leicester Haymarket Theatre - has now been cast. And a familiar face will be haunting the stage as the ghostly apparition of Captain Flint...

Captain Flint - the most dreaded pirate on the Seven Seas - will be played by Leicester legend Gary Lineker, who filmed his role at the request of old friend Sandi. Gary's performance will be projected onto the stage as part of the spellbinding world created for Sandi's adaptation of this classic adventure. Flint's faithful parrot will be created by the puppeteers from War Horse.

The show cast have now been confirmed as Mikey Brett as Rudolph/Billy Bones/Mr Arrow/Ben Gunn, Jules Brown as Long John Silver, Andrew Cullum as Sir Kensington Gore/Squire De Montfort, Tanveer Devgun as Tom/Blind Pugh/Captain Smollett, Kat Engall as Jim Hawkins, Mary Garbé as Florence/Doctor Livesey, Joyce Greenaway as Margaret, Dominic Rye as Frank/George and Meghan Treadway as Shirley/Parrot Captain Flint.

Co-written with her sister Jenifer Toksvig, this new version of the quintessential adventure story by Robert Louis Stevenson will be a co-production between Haymarket Productions, Director Matthew Forbes (Associate Puppetry director; War Horse) and Producer Debbie Hicks (West End and international tours).

With Toksvig's trademark razor (or should we say cutlass?) sharp wit, Jim Hawkins' adventure across the High Seas in search of treasure will appeal to all ages. Along the way Jim encounters deadly storms and even deadlier pirates, led by the infamous Long John Silver. The show is a treasure chest of delights; featuring rousing sea shanties and daring sword fights, piratical parrots and acrobatic puppets, making this new adaptation a wonderfully theatrical tale of adventure.

Since it reopened in March 2018, the city has been eagerly awaiting the Haymarket Theatre's first home-grown show. Launching with a swashbuckling swagger meant assembling a team of pirates with world renowned credits. Jenifer Toksvig's lyrics will be accompanied by music written by Composer David Perkins. The Haymarket Consortium's Ellyn Phillips (Studio 79) will choreograph, set and costume design by Rebecca Brower and sound design by Max Pappenheim.

The show runs from 13 December to 6 January.

"We couldn't be happier that the Haymarket will present the world premiere of our adaptation of this classic novel. It's exciting to be writing the first Christmas show since the building was refurbished, and we can't wait to invade Leicester with our piratical shenanigans!" laughs Sandi Toksvig.

Director Matthew Forbes said: "We've assembled a fantastic gang of pirates to bring this brilliant story to life! Our entire community ensemble has been sourced from the local area. Leicester is an incredibly talented city and I'm thrilled that we're able to showcase that in this brand-new production of Treasure Island. Two thirds of our main cast are from Leicester and the surrounding areas; it's really important to me that we celebrate local talent, and this show has been written especially for them and the Haymarket Theatre"