Long John Silver , alias actor Peter Bayliss , got the theatrical bird today when Jack Sprat , the parrot who plays ' Captain Flint ' in the Mermaid production of ' Treasure Island ' swooped down and settled on his tricorne hat , to make friends with Jim Hawkins played by youthful actor , Fergus McClelland , in his first stage role . The trio are pictured at todays dress rehearsal at the Mermaid Theatre preparing for tomorrows opening which is directed for the third time by Colin Ellis . 17th December 1963