FAREHAM's Ferneham Hall is taking on a brand new challenge – and one it hopes will lead it on to be a major producing theatre in its own right.

For the first time in its 34 year history, the popular venue will be staging its own in-house production – a brand new version of the classic pirate adventure Treasure Island.

“I’ve wanted us to do our own production for many years”, says theatre manager Rod Cameron. “We considered the possibility of doing a show just as the school summer holidays kick-off and one that would appeal to a family audience. Treasure Island seemed like a natural choice as everyone loves pirates!”

The production will be written and directed by the theatre’s own Front of House Manager, Nick Scovell, who previously worked as an actor and is still a commissioned script-writer. The cast will be drawn from members of local drama and music societies.

“We have such a huge amount of talent in the local area”, says Nick. “Many of them regularly perform at Ferneham Hall. It’s a great venue with so much scope to stage any sort of production due to its flexibility. This will be a great showcase for both the theatre and the many people who use it.”

Members of Fareham Musical Society, South Down Musical Society, Portchester Players, CCADS, Southsea Shakespeare Actors, HMS Collingwood, Humdram Amdram and many others will feature in the spectacular production.

With CGI effects, surround sound and pyrotechnics, there will be plenty of bangs and flashes!

“Robert Louis Stevenson pretty much created the whole pirate genre with this story”, says Rod. “Buried treasure, ‘X marks the spot’, one-legged pirates – this is where it all came from. It’s a terrific story and we can’t wait to present the show”.

A mix of comedy, action and adventure, Treasure Island will, hopefully, be the first of many such productions in the future.

Treasure Island opens runs from August 4 to 6.

Tickets: 01329 231942 or at fernehamhall.co.uk