A Coronation Street scriptwriter has joined the crew of The Dukes in Lancaster setting sail on a re-working of Treasure Island.
Debbie Oates, who has written more than 100 episodes of the soap, has adapted Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure for the theatre’s Christmas production—relocated it to Morecambe Bay and replaced Jim Hawkins, with a girl, Jem.
Debbie is also making history by writing the first ever Dukes Christmas show to be performed in-the-round.
Brought up in Manchester, Debbie used to attend pantos regularly. Her mother, the late Gloria Oates, is a former High Sheriff of Lancashire whose shield hangs in Lancaster’s Shire Hall.
Debbie was an actor before her writing talent was recognised.
Treasure Island opens on November 23 and runs until January 5.