Study Guide

About the Play

ROBINSON CRUSOE, adapted by Colin Heath and Michael Wolski, is a play about survival against long odds, man's ability to adapt to foreign environments and the strength of the human spirit and the will to live. The playwrights have chosen to tell the tale with a series of flashbacks as Crusoe prepares to leave the island with his rescuers after 28 years of being shipwrecked. The towering set transforms into the multiple locations needed to tell the story which also incorporates puppets to depict the animals on the island.

The play opens with some audience participation as Robinson Crusoe and his friend, Friday address the audience as if they were an Admiral and sailors from a rescue ship. Crusoe excitedly tells his rescuers (the audience) his amazing story of survival and of his meeting with his friend, Friday.
His first adventure focuses on the devastating storm that tosses him into the sea and his eventual washing up on the shore of a strange island. Crusoe discovers himself to be the only survivor of the disaster as he finds his ship floundering just off shore.

Crusoe makes a happy discovery when he is able to recover supplies and materials from the ship. He sets about making a livable habitat and exploring the island for human life. He is thrilled to find that the island is teeming with vegetation and wildlife. Although Crusoe's basic needs are met in terms of food and shelter he soon discovers that he has a great need for human companionship and that is what he misses most.

Many years pass before a young man, who was being chased by pirates, arrives on the island in a dramatic escape. Crusoe chases the pirates off and befriends the young man. Slowly the newcomer learns to trust the Englishman who has rescued him and they become fast friends. In time Friday learns to speak English and in turn teaches Crusoe some of his customs and rituals.

One day a ship arrives in the harbour. As Crusoe and Friday watch, a boat full of people leaves the ship and sets sail for the island. As the boat draws nearer to shore it becomes apparent that the passengers are actually the Admiral and crew of the ship. They are being sent to shore by pirates who have commandeered their vessel. Crusoe and Friday rescue the Admiral and his crew and together they overthrow the pirates and reclaim the ship.

As the story concludes Friday declares his intention to stay on the island as it has become his home. Crusoe accepts Friday's decision and after a fond farewell sets sail for England with his rescuers.

About the Author

DANIEL DEFOE

ROBINSON CRUSOE, Daniel Defoe’s first novel was published in 1719, when the prolific writer of narrative realism was almost sixty. To the majority of readers, and above all to children, the book is simply a stirring tale of a shipwreck and adventure on a tropical island. However, the literary historian can regard Crusoe as the first English novelist.

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