Sark Theatre Group took to the stage this weekend with their pirate-themed pantomime, ‘Greybeard’s Christmas.’ The story begins on Christmas Eve on Sark when Greybeard the pirate (the meanest, nastiest old sea dog ever to cross the Big Russel, who also happens to suffer from seasickness, played by Gavin Nicolle) announces to his crew that what he really wants for Christmas is to give up his life on the ocean wave and settle down with a wife. He sails to darkest Alderney to look up his old flame Eliza, the Sea Witch, who agrees to marry him if he finds that most fabulous of treasures, the Sark Hoard. What follows is a magical adventure around the Channel Islands, above and beneath the waves. There are encounters with mad mermaids, a six-foot tall puffin, glamorous lady privateers from Jersey, mad sea gulls, talking dolphins and a much-misunderstood giant octopus.

The story was written and directed by Sark Theatre Group’s Sue Daly. “We feel incredibly lucky to be able to put on a show this year when so many theatres are closed and professional companies are unable to work,” explains Sue. “We’ve been lucky on Sark to be virus-free so far but the travel restrictions mean that many of us aren’t able to be with the family and friends we would like to be with this Christmas so I felt it was important to put on a really fun, family show for everyone here on Sark. The nautical theme suits the island and who doesn’t enjoy dressing up as a pirate and having a sword fight?”