TEHRAN- A loose adaptation of Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel “Treasure Island” is set to go on stage at Iranshahr Theater in Tehran on September 28.

Director Setareh Pesiani has renamed the play “Lulu Island” to perform it in Iran.

Kazem Sayyahi, Khosro Pesiani, Elnaz Habibi, Fatemeh Naqavi and Navid Jahanzadeh are the main members of the cast for the play, which will remain on stage until November 1. 

"Treasure Island," set in the mid-18th century, begins at the Admiral Benbow Inn, where an old sailor known as The Captain takes refuge. He warns young Jim Hawkins, the innkeeper's son, to watch for a one-legged man. This man turns out to be a former shipmate named Billy Bones, who is confronted by a sailor named Black Dog, leading to a sword fight that leaves Bones incapacitated. Following the death of Jim's father and the arrival of Pew, a blind beggar who delivers a dire summons called "the black spot," Bones succumbs to a stroke. In the chaos, Pew's gang storms the inn but are quickly overpowered by excise officers, resulting in Pew's death as well. Jim and his mother manage to escape with a treasure map found in Bones' chest, indicating where the notorious pirate Captain Flint hid his fortune.

With the map, Jim, along with the local doctor, Dr. Livesey, and squire John Trelawney, sets off for adventure on the Hispaniola, a ship chartered by Trelawney, under the command of Captain Smollett. During the voyage, Jim befriends the ship's cook, Long John Silver, who has a mysterious past. Tragedy strikes when the first mate, Mr. Arrow, is lost overboard. While hiding in an apple barrel, Jim overhears conspiratorial discussions among the crew—they are pirates planning to mutiny and kill their captain after finding the treasure.

Upon reaching the island, Jim witnesses a murder committed by Silver and flees. He encounters Ben Gunn, a marooned pirate who once served on Flint’s ship. After Silver’s crew successfully mutinies and takes control of the Hispaniola, Jim and a loyal group find refuge in an abandoned stockade. A fierce skirmish ensues, leading Jim to take action by seizing the ship, dueling with the pirate Israel Hands, whom he ultimately kills.

Jim discovers Silver’s party intends to return to the ruined stockade under a truce, leading to a joint expedition for the treasure. However, they find only an empty cache, which leads to tense moments where Jim's life is threatened. Miraculously, he is rescued by Livesey and his allies. Eventually, they uncover the real treasure, which Ben Gunn had long ago stashed away. After loading it onto the Hispaniola, they head for home, but Silver betrays them at the first port, escaping with some money. As the remaining crew returns to Bristol, Jim resolves never to return to the treacherous island, leaving behind any unclaimed fortune.

SAB/