Shouts of “Aargh!” echoed through the Lawrence Arts Center theater on Saturday afternoon as the Seem-To-Be-Players hoisted the Jolly Roger and set sail for “Treasure Island.” Adapted by Scot Copeland of Nashville Children’s Theatre from Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure story, “Treasure Island” is loaded with all kinds of pirate fun: mutiny, sword fighting, treasure hunting and, of course, lots of “Aargh!”

Directed by Ric Averill, who also did yeoman duty providing music on keyboard and fiddle, “Treasure Island” is the story of young Jim Hawkins (Zach Silvers), who finds himself in possession of a pirate’s treasure map. Joined by faithful Dr. Livesay (Don Schawang) and blustering Squire Trelawney (Charlie Whitman), Hawkins sets out to find the treasure.

Unfortunately, Trelawney is a rather poor judge of character and hires Long John Silver and his mates as crew. Whitman strikes just the right note of lovable buffoonery with Trelawney, and Schawang’s Dr. Livesay is an honest, honorable fellow who turns out to be quite good with a sword.

The charismatic, one-legged Long John Silver (Jeremy Auman) befriends Jim, learns the whereabouts of the map and plans taking over the ship. Joined by his dastardly cohorts Black Dog (Chris Nelson), Morgan (Jerry Mitchell) and Dirk (Andy Stowers), Long John Silver launches his mutiny unaware that Dr. Livesay has substituted a false map for the real one.

The pirate crew is full of appropriate piratical swagger, and they do some pretty nifty fight scenes. Long John Silver is the most dimensional of the pirates; he is ruthless, greedy and self-absorbed but also clever, witty and fond of Hawkins. Not above using Jim, he maintains honor — in his own way — in their friendship. Auman clearly delights in his role and totters across the stage on one leg and a crutch — no wooden peg leg here — taking command of every scene he is in.

Upon arriving at Treasure Island, the crew is greeted by the mad cheese-craving seaman Ben Gunn (Chris Waugh), whom the pirate captain abandoned on the island. Lots of sword fighting and shifting alliances must occur before the right people can call the treasure their own.

If there is fault in Copeland’s script, it is not an unexpected one: In order to adapt Stevenson’s lengthy adventure to a 75-minute show, he must excise much of the lesson-learning Hawkins must endure. The script makes an effort establishing Hawkins as the narrative voice by having him speak directly to the audience, introducing the events of the story. However, it abandons that device fairly soon. Silvers is a very believable Hawkins; he displays the character’s cleverness, bravery and basic goodness — as well as his obvious tendency to get into trouble.

Karl Ramberg as the ill-fated Billy Bones, Jennifer Glenn as Mrs. Hawkins, and Don Barber as Blind Pew round out the cast in fine style. This “Treasure Island” will remind some parents why they loved the story as young people, and will probably inspire parents and children alike to return to the novel or discover it for the first time.

Sarah Young, a lecturer in Kansas University’s English department, can be reached at youngsl@ku.edu.