SET sail for St Mary's College in Bitterne Park when the stage will be filled with a cast of 80 students - and a parrot - for a swashbuckling adventure.

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island is brought to the stage in a large-scale production showing tonight and tomorrow.

The cast features an age range of eight to 18, with boys and girls from junior school Charlton House joining the older boys of St Mary's College.

RE teacher Ted Brennan said: "We try to involve as many students as possible. Many are also working on the technical side back stage.

"It's a great swashbuckling tale. We put on a different play every year and always have a fantastic reception."

This year the show also features a real Brazilian parrot called Dina, on loan from a parent. The production is co-directed by teach-ers Pat McCarthy and Ludwig Kowalbwski. Art teacher Shaun Falvey has created a colourful backdrop for the stage set.

Mr McCarthy, an English teacher, said: "It's a whole community thing really, involving pupils, staff and parents."

The musical play was first staged by the Mermaid Theatre and won the Ivor Novello award. It's a story of pirates including Long John Silver and Ben Gunn, it features a mutiny, a map, a sea song and of course treasure.

For ticket details contact the box office on 01703 671267. Prices are £4 for adults and £2 for children. Curtain up at 7.30pm.

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