Seafaring, swordfighting and coconut-wielding Spaniards all feature in this year’s pantomime, Treasure Island.

The show by the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society, now on at City Hall’s Earl Cameron Theatre, pits the heroic young Jim Ladd (Brian Wedlich) against the grizzled pirate Long John Slither (Alan Brooks) on a quest for buried riches.

Among those joining the duo on their frantic journey are Jim’s mother Mrs Ladd (Phillip Jones), his star-crossed sweetheart Nancy (Isabella Zuill-McKenzie) and Slither’s ragtag gang of ne’er-do-wells.

The production, directed by Jo Shane, doffs its cap to panto tradition throughout — offering slapstick, regular forays into the absurd and sly asides for the grown-ups only.

And, of course, there’s plenty of cross-dressing, most notably by Mr Jones as the dame Mrs Ladd, landlady of The Admiral Bimbo Inn.

A cross between Mike Myers and Dolly Parton, the man-hungry blonde bombshell sports all manner of outrageous outfits during the tale, and sets the tone for her camp shenanigans early on with her “rabble-rousing audience participation workout”.

Elsewhere, watch out for the assorted Bermudian references woven into the script — and don’t be surprised to find pirates roaming the aisles looking for trouble.

Musical numbers are split between original songs and old classics, with nods to the likes of Madonna and The Village People, as well as a good old-fashioned singalong at the end to get everyone out of their seats.

Ultimately though, it’s the show’s keen sense of silliness which keeps the audience entertained.

Who will find the hidden treasure and who will have to walk the plank? Will Nancy’s stiff-upper-lipped father Squire Polperro (Stephen Notman) ever accept her love for the lowly Jim? Why won’t Slither let his parrot Cap’n Haddock (Christine Whitestone) sit on his shoulder anymore?

And, most importantly, who’s next to get a pie to the face?

Find out for yourself, as Treasure Island runs until December 12.

See www.bmds.bm for more information. Tickets, priced at $35 apiece, are available by calling 278-1500 or visiting www.ptix.bm