EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Blackwood lands Treasure Island role
EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Richard Blackwood becomes Long John Silver in Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s new Christmas Treasure Island.
Richard Blackwood is swapping soap drama for pirate adventures after joining Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s Christmas pantomime. He will play Long John Silver in Treasure Island, which begins performances on November 28, 2026.
Soap viewers will recognise Richard as Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders and Felix Westwood in Hollyoaks. This Christmas, he will bring the infamous pirate from Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure story to the stage in a new pantomime production.
Richard already has stage experience alongside his television career, including playing Donkey in Shrek The Musical in the West End. His theatre credits also include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, with Treasure Island adding another familiar character to his stage roles.
The confirmed cast includes Wolverhampton-born Solomon Davy as Jack Hawkins and Leonie Wall as Charlotte Trelawney. Both are returning to the Grand’s pantomime stage, with Solomon having appeared in last year’s Sleeping Beauty and Leonie previously featuring in Snow White.
They join Tam Ryan as Willy Hawkins and Ian Adams as Mrs Betty Hawkins. The production marks Ian’s tenth year as Wolverhampton’s pantomime dame, while Tam returns for his sixth consecutive season.
When is Treasure Island in Wolverhampton?
Treasure Island runs at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from November 28, 2026, until January 3, 2027. Tickets are on sale for the production, which brings the adventure to the Grand as a new pantomime this Christmas.
See Richard as Long John Silver in Treasure Island at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this Christmas. Visit the official theatre website for tickets and performance details.
