X marks the spot on this year’s map for family entertainment – the destination is MADC’s Christmas Panto, Treasure Island.

This year’s cast includes Alan Montanaro as the mischievous rogue Long John Swagger; Alexander G. Lewis as the handsome young hero Jim Hawkins; and Jean Pierre Busuttil as the outrageous Mama Sufia Kerapestska, the hero’s mother, as they all set out on an epic hunt from untold riches to be found on the mysterious treasure island.

The journey takes you on an exciting adventure, full of laughs for the young and not-so-young, plus a spate of satirical and risqué jokes for the mature and much audience participation.

And there’s the inevitable boy meets girl story as the fabled treasure also contains a magic voodoo amulet. If Jim manages to find it in time, he may just be able to save the Squire’s daughter, Miss Huta, from her terrible curse before it’s too late.

An exciting journey for the young and not-so-young, plus a spate of satirical jokes

However, it doesn’t help that Long John Swagger and his rather unscrupulous pirate friends have also come along for the ride.

Writer and director Malcolm Galea has press-ganged a cast that includes Katherine Brown, Joseph Zammit, Steffi Thake, Michael Mangion, Joe Depasquale, Tina Rizzo and Rambert Attard, together with a high energy chorus plus a mermaid or two and a parrot that embarrasses the audience.

Add the lively music and songs from Maestro Paul Abela and Roger Tirazona; Alison White’s choreography; and Claudio Apap’s amazing scenery – with large projection screens transforming the venue into a world of magic and make believe, embellished by the costumes designed by Isabel Warrington – and you have an enjoyable Christmas extravaganza for the whole family.

Treasure Island takes place between Saturday and January 3 at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, Ta’ Qali.