Silver Tongue, Hayes Theatre Co’s Queer Reimagining of Treasure Island, Has Arrived

Fans of slippery innuendos, found family, and bisexual pirate queens are on notice: November 13 marks the official opening of Hayes Theatre Co’s bold (and delightfully queer) reimagining of Treasure Island: Silver Tongue.

The Australian-made musical is set to feature an all-queer cast, a genre-bending original score, and a familiar coming of age story, one about a young person named Jim who has been set adrift in the world, their yearning for purpose, identity, and a place to call home made all the more complicated by the musings of the titular Silver Tongue, a notorious bisexual pirate queen who is equal parts mentor, menace, and mystery.

“Who doesn’t love a bawdy, knockabout show about queer pirates??” Hayes Theatre Co Artistic Directors Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer told Star Observer. “The talent of this group of performers is absolutely insane, so we can guarantee that Silver Tongue is about to become your new favourite comedy-adventure actor-musician lesbian-pirate musical..!” 

Silver Tongue’s Queer-Studded Cast

Silver Tongue is the witty brainchild of three immensely talented queers, namely Miranda Middleton, Jacob Parker, and Alec Steedman.

Co-Artistic Director of Hayes Theatre Co, Richard Carroll (Pirates of Penzance, Calamity Jane), directs Silver Tongue, joined by Movement Director Chiara Assetta (Zombie! The Musical! and We are The Tigers), and Assistant Director and co-writer Miranda Middleton (Bright Star).

As for the actors and vocalists bringing the story to life, leading the cast in the title role of Silver Tongue is Billie Palin (Pirates of Penzance), supported by Natalie Abbott (Muriel’s Wedding) as Dick and Marty Alix (Hamilton) as Jim. 

Meanwhile, Co-Artistic Director Victoria Falconer (My Brilliant Career) takes on the role of Peg, while also serving as Music Director; Jack Green (Bright Star) plays Squire / Dad; Tana Laga’aia (Jesus Christ Superstar) plays Hands alongside serving as Assistant Music Director; and Shannen Alyce Quan (Little Women) appears as Livesey. 

Finally, composer Alec Steedman (Bright Star) will also appear on stage on violin, with Lawrence Hawkins (RENT) joining the production as a standby.

Composer Alec Steedman On The Queer Heart Of Silver Tongue

While Silver Tongue has been rightly marketed as “a wet, wild, and witty voyage” packed with whip-smart dialogue and punchy songs, composer Alec Steedman told the Star Observer it is a story that is equally tender, one that many queer people will likely recognise.

“I wrote this show as a bit of a love letter to queer family and finding community or the tribe of people that take you in and make you feel at home and like you belong.

“The show’s message speaks a lot on themes of chosen family and learning how to outgrow the trauma of the past, open up, and learn to love again. I hope that every queer person, young or old, can relate to this experience.”

“Everyone knows and loves Treasure Island, and its original title was actually The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys. I loved the idea of taking a story for “boys” and flipping it on its head and making it a story for “queer people” instead.”

Of course, the heart is not the only organ Silver Tongue is keen on throbbing. Steedman warns Billie Palin’s bisexual piracy will no doubt unleash “numerous gay awakenings in the audience every night”, that is if Victoria Falconer’s portrayal of an accordion-playing parrot named “Peg (all men)” doesn’t get them first. 

Silver Tongue debutes at Potts Point’s Hayes Theatre Co on Friday 13 November, with the season closing on 12 December. Tickets can be purchased here.

Otherwise, to see a preview of Hayes Theatre Co’s 2027 season, visit here.