Pirates (and a parrot) have taken over a public college

Posted on 9 July, 2025

Narrabundah College Performing Arts is performing Treasure Island by Ken Ludwig and audiences can expect a swashbuckling good time!

On a dark and stormy night, somewhere in England, somewhen in a time of terrible pirates, talking parrots and terrific insults… a treasure map falls into the hands of fourteen-year-old Jim. And the adventure begins. As Jim sets off to find buried treasure, rough and cunning pirates start to close in. And none are more cunning than Long John Silver, the one-legged man who haunts Jim’s nightmares and saves her life.

The annual school production at Narrabundah College is the highlight of the year for many. It’s a place where friendships are forged and family is found. And it’s also the opportunity to experience what it is to be involved in a professional production. Drama teacher Rachel Pengilly is committed to making the experience as industry-standard as possible.

Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia as guest of Megan Altenburg, Principal, visits Narrabundah College in Canberra, ACT.

“It’s the opportunity to be in a professional-level show,” says student and actor Hannah Clarke, who plays one of the pirates, Ezekiel Hazard.

“And it’s accessible. You can develop your acting ability by being in a production, rather than relying on that ability to get into the production. We all knew we would get a role. That means you can use the practical experience as a space for developing that ability.”

“I feel like the culture around it is very professional,” says student and actor Wajanoah Donohoe, who plays Long John Silver. “It doesn’t feel as much like a school class.”

The production isn’t just about the actors, however. Students are also in a huge variety of technical and backstage roles. In addition to playing the infamous Long John Silver, Donohoe is also in the role of Fight Director alongside fellow student and actor Toby Nitural. Donohoe describes the process as “extremely challenging but rewarding. I’ve developed a lot of skills in coordinating people.”

In a a very special masterclass to deliver students training in stage combat, leading fight director Tim Dashwood spent several hours with students as part of a collaboration with the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).

Whilst Treasure Island is performed by the Year 12 Production class, running the show from behind-the-scenes and backstage is the Technical Theatre class, where students learn about the ins-and-outs of the live production industry and work towards attaining their Cert III in Live Production and Technical Services. Jess Burden, who currently takes Double Drama fills the role of both Stage Manager and Lighting Designer.

“It’s a step into the industry,” Burden says. “I’m glad I have the ability to study at Narrabundah College because I have the ability to get access to this: to study in this theatre, and to put on this show.”

Ciara Ford, who plays Dr Livesy said she relished the wide range of experiences: “being a director, a stage manager, a costume designer, anything that involves theatre, stage, screen.”

It’s a very student-led project, with over 30 students involved. But they’re not alone. The student cast and creative team are supported by current industry professionals and specialists. In addition to her job as a College Drama Teacher, Pengilly is also a practicing professional actor, director and playwright. Phoebe Fielden, also a professional actor in the local theatre industry, joins as Assistant Director. Phoebe is an alumni of Narrabundah College, graduating 2024 with a Major-Minor in Drama. Shannon Parnell rounds out the Professional Creative Team, coming on board as Composer after her award-nominated composition and sound design for Ribix Productions’ Legacies in 2023.

The production is loud, colourful and full of fine. It runs for a strictly limited season and is suitable for all ages.