A chance to Treasure (From Wandsworth Guardian)

A chance to Treasure

9:12am Wednesday 16th December 2009

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When David Cardy was invited to join the Rose Theatre’s pirate crew for the its festive production of Treasure Island, he jumped at the chance.

The experienced actor, who plays Billy Bones and Captain Smollett in this new version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, worked with Stephen Unwin, the show’s director and the Rose’s artistic director, on a number of productions for English Touring Theatre and says he is a big fan of his approach.

“I like working with Stephen because, no matter what you are working on, he tries to tell the story,” Cardy explains.

“That was the way he approached Treasure Island – to be faithful to the the novel and the adaptation we had. We have worked together about four times on Shakespeare and various classical pieces but this is a great yarn with a rolling narrative.

“It was interesting to work with him on an adaptation of a novel rather than a classic text and it is great to be part of a terrific cast. It’s a shame there aren’t any female characters in it – you can’t have everything!”

Cardy has been keen to perform at the Rose since he saw Uncle Vanya at the venue in 2008 and, after a successful rehearsal period and three preview performances, he has not been left disappointed by his experience in Kingston.

“The theatre has a purpose-built rehearsal room which is great because often, when you are rehearsing Christmas shows, you are stuck in a freezing cold church hall,” he adds.

“It has been excellent as you get to know everyone in the theatre. There’s a good feeling at the Rose, with everyone working on the production side.

“Everyone is pulling together, which you don’t always get. It has been a joy and, when Stephen asks me, I am sure I will come back again.”

The challenge of performing in a Christmas show is not one that holds any fears for Cardy, who has appeared in numerous festive productions over the years including Sinbad and The Wizard of Oz.

“I like working over Christmas because you can eat and drink as much as you like on your days off and you can soon sweat it all off,” he says.

“When you are in a good Christmas show, especially if mums and dads and the kids enjoy it, there is nothing like it.

“You can hear the excitement over the tannoy and, in this show, there are a few scary bits, too.

“At the beginning I play Billy Bones, the old salt, who gets the Black Spot and dies. It’s a brutal and dangerous scene but I think the kids like all of that, really.”

Treasure Island runs at the Rose Theatre until January 9. Visit rosetheatre kingston.org for details.

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