A discussion with Reed Sigmund, cast as Long John Silver
Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic, Treasure Island, is coming to the Children’s Theatre Company September 9 – October 19. It’s appropriate for ages 8 and up and who wouldn’t want to see a swashbuckling pirate production to open the season? We spoke to Twin Cities favorite Reed Sigmund on what it was like to play Long John Silver in the coming of age tale that features buccaneers and buried gold in the golden age of piracy. Get tickets here.
Q: I’ve read that it is a lifelong passion of yours to be cast as Long John Silver – please tell us more.
A: I feel Long John Silver is one the most complex, well-written characters in the entire history of literature. His personality and actions are endlessly ripe for exploration and discoveries. He’s a morally grey, larger-than-life figure who is both magnetic and enigmatic.
Q: What aspects of Silver’s personality do you personally relate to, if any?
A: I see that Long John Silver is doing the absolute best that he can, given his circumstances! He’s truly kind! He carries a tremendous amount of empathy. But he exists in a time and place where violent oppression from a cruel monarchy forces him to resist and fight back with passion and purpose.
Q: How do you balance Silver’s villainous side with the parts of him that are charismatic or even likable?
A: This is tricky, because I don’t see John Silver as villainous. I don’t necessarily agree with everything he says, or every decision he makes. However, I understand WHY he does everything that he does. He’s a master of tactics. And he understands human nature better than any other character in the piece. By focusing on his intentions, I’m able to find the raw truth of what makes humanity both beautiful and terrifying.
Q: Did you base your portrayal on any particular version of Silver from film or stage, or did you create your own interpretation?
A: I’ve seen several versions of the character, but the version I connect with most strongly is from the Disney film, “Treasure Planet.” Our script is more faithful to the source material, so it’s far from a re-creation or an impression of that film. But that version approaches Long John’s complexities with understanding and nuance.
Q: What’s your favorite line or moment as Silver in the show?
A: Towards the end of the show, Jim Hawkins eloquently articulates his disappointment and disdain for Silver. And Silver listens. He takes Jim’s verbal lashing and Jim’s threats of turning him in to be hanged, and then politely replies with, “That’s fair I reckon, and I thank you for it. You’re a good boy Jim Hawkins, not that you’ll care much for my opinion…but you’re a fine boy. We’ll never see each other again. You’ll think of me as a friend I hope.”
Q: Did you create a specific voice or accent for Silver? How did you find it?
A: I looked at the time period, and Silver’s clear loathing of the monarchy, and felt he needed to be from a people who had suffered under the crown. So, I’ve chosen to incorporate an Irish accent. And based on Silver’s age, I’ve incorporated a grizzled vocal quality to accompany the accent! I played with many choices while immersing myself in the script, but I’ve settled on something that I believe feels and sounds organic.
Q: Why do you think Long John Silver remains such an enduring character in literature and theater?
A: As a reader or viewer of this classic, I believe we want to root for Silver to make the right choice. In our lives we yearn to see people evolve and become who we know they truly are down deep inside. And underneath it all, it’s impossible to see Silver as a bad man. We want him to get a second chance, or a third, or a fourth! We want to give him patience and grace, because at the end of the day, it’s what we want others to give us.
Q: If Long John Silver were alive today, what kind of job do you think he’d have?
A: Without a doubt, Long John Silver would be the greatest Secretary of State this country has ever known! Either that, or he’d run a tasty lil seafood restaurant found in food courts across the land.
