NOW, drink up me hearties, The Dukes' Treasure Island production is proving such a swashbuckling success that the Lancaster theatre is extending its run until Saturday, August 19.

Written by highly thought of Coronation Street scriptwriter Debbie Oates, thousands of people have already seen the ocean-going, walkabout hit show in Lancaster’s Williamson Park and demand for tickets is so great that the seafaring quest for buried treasure will continue for an extra week.

Featuring some of the most vividly imagined and celebrated characters in literature, the production marks 30 years since The Dukes began promenading in the park and follows last year’s UK Theatre Award winning version of The Hobbit.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, in Debbie's version of Treasure Island, the audience will meet Jem Hawkins, a girl with a plan to escape her troubles, travel the world and make a new life for herself.

The problem is that she’s actually chosen the wrong crew: an opinionated parrot, a bunch of pirate buffoons and the terrifying Long John Silver watch over her every move.

The audience joins Jem’s search for treasure through Williamson Park's winding paths and entrancing woodlands enjoying songs and plenty of fun along the way.

In the guise of Jem is Natasha Davidson who made her Lancaster debut in the 2015 Christmas show, Beauty and The Beast.

At the show's helm is Joe Sumsion.

Designed by Barney George, Treasure Island will be the eighth park show Joe has directed for The Dukes.

Assistant director is The Knotted Project's highly inventive Natalie Morrell.

Meanwhile, the award-winning theatre has announced some of the laughters makers heading to the Lancaster venue for its forthcoming comedy season with James Acaster, Mark Thomas and Slightly Fat Features among the names already billed.

James’s Classic Scrapes Book Tour celebrates the release of this popular comedian’s first book this year; he'll play the Lancaster theatre on November 18.

Another Dukes favourite, Mark Thomas, brings his Show That Gambles On The Future on November 29. He attempts to discover what the future has in store by collecting and examining his own predictions and those of his audience before gambling on their outcome.

And for fans of chaotic comedy and variety, Slightly Fat Features Christmas Cabaret calls into The Dukes on December 8-9 direct from Sunday Night at The London Palladium prior to their West End run.

Making their Dukes debut by kicking off the autumn comedy season on October 14 are Festival of the Spoken Nerd.

Finally, among the highlights of a packed visiting programme of drama in the new Dukes season are The Suitcase (September 27-29); Waiting For Godot (November 7-11); Not About Heroes (October 24 and 25) and Private Lives (February 6 and 7).

Box office on 01524-598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.