Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days a play staged by Wigan Little Theatre at Wigan Little Theatre, Wigan on Tuesday, 31st May, 2022.

Laura Eason's celebrated adaptation of Jules Verne's classic novel was seen at the New Vic Theatre, Stoke, and Manchester's Royal Exchange before receiving its London premiere at the St. James Theatre in 2015. The play tells the story of the fabulously wealthy Victorian gentleman Phileas Fogg who wagers his life's fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days. Along with his hapless valet Passepartout, he sets out on a dazzling escapade that takes him from the misty alleys of London to the exotic subcontinent and on to the Wild West as they race against the clock on a dizzying succession of trains, steamers, a wind-propelled sledge and an elephant. Packing in so many unforgettable characters, this imaginative version was written for an ensemble cast of eight, but can be performed by a much larger cast – making it perfect for any theatre company or drama group looking for a high-spirited adventure. 

Wigan Little Theatre chose nine cast members to perform this hilariously funny play.  At ‘the helm’ was Katie Davis (Director), who, before the play began, I had the privilege and pleasure to speak with.  Katie was keeping ‘her cards’ very close to her chest, explaining that the play was ‘different’, but she wanted me to see it without influence or advice! Having now seen it, I completely understand why!  This play was almost ‘pantomime esq’, with over-the-top characters creating mayhem and so many extremely funny moments and staging that required ‘visual imagination’.  So many congrats to Katie, be ever so proud of what you achieved and to those involved in the ‘staging and enhancement’ of this production…equally well done! 

The Cast: included four principals… Martin Green playing ‘Phileas Fogg’… the quintessential English Gentleman who lives a quiet life built around regularity. Jamie Roberts playing Fogg’s ‘French travelling manservant’ ‘Passepartout’. Loyal but burdensome who inadvertently throws many ‘wrenches’ in Fogg’s plans.   Niall Wilkinson playing the intrepid detective, ‘Inspector Fix’ who thinks Fogg is a ‘bank robber’ and pursues him around the globe in an attempt to arrest him!  Ayesha Morris playing ‘Mrs Aouda’, the widow of an Indian Rajah who Fogg meets and assists and who proposes marriage to Fogg when they arrive back in England.  Then we had, if I dare call them this, ‘The Ensemble’…  five actors who played many many parts… Lesley Kellett played ‘Singh’, ‘Captain Von Darius’, ‘Judge Obadiah’ and many other unnamed roles!  John Dudley played ‘Stuart’, ‘Carnatic Purser’, ‘Batulcar’, ‘Captain Speedy’, and again many other unnamed roles.  Richard Ellis played ‘James’, ‘Flanagan’, ‘Suez Consul’ and many other unnamed roles. Kevin Shirley played ‘Mongolia Purser’, ‘Bombay Consul’, ‘Mr Mudge’ and many other unnamed parts.  Last but certainly not least was Chris Boyle who played ‘Ralph’, ‘Mr Naidu’, ‘Colonel Stamp Proctor’ and again, many other roles.  If I am honest, I do think Chris came very close to ‘stealing the show’ for me… WHY… because whenever, where ever, whoever he was, he just made that part his own!  He was infectious, hilarious, even when just moving stage furniture around, he was continually looking for opportunities to engage the audience (not sure if this was scripted or just natural ability) and make them laugh and never failed… be proud Chris! 

If you’ve read my reviews before, you’ll know this is where I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and select MY favourite actor, performance, song etc and although I’ve suggested that Chris was close to winning that accolade, let me tell you that we did not have an individual ‘show stealer’ but an overall ‘show stopper’…which was……   
A ’Show Stopping’ Production:
In this day and age, circumnavigating the globe in eighty days would not cause any eyebrows to be raised… but what would, is to ‘circumnavigate the globe’ in less than two hours on stage and Wigan Little Theatre took on that challenge and dealt with it with ease!  We had ‘stop off’s’ at so many locations around the globe… some if not all, with hilariously funny, creative, imaginative inclusions! We travelled by train, boat, sledge, elephant and hot air balloon to name but a few … all of which were hilariously portrayed and executed to perfection!  I loved the sledge ride, the elephant ride, I think it was in New York where we saw a Sailors Dance Scene... an ‘OMG’ moment for me!  The ‘boat crossing’ and the ‘smoking scene’ were hilarious and brilliantly acted!  A great deal of attention had been placed on detail… the inclusion of visibly ‘stamping the passport’ or at least making reference to getting it stamped was important not only to the plot but to the wager!  We also had some uncomplicated dance routines which were superbly choreographed and hilariously, funnily executed!  The use of ‘rear projection’ throughout the production to show location/situation (photographs, videos with musical accompaniment) was a major plus for me and although we did have a ‘tricky’ moment in Act One when we lost the sound accompaniment (Live Theatre) and the show had to stopped, this was dealt with efficiently, the audience kept informed and the slight delay had no detrimental effect on the overall production at all. So many congrats to everyone concerned in this production… from Director to Actor, from Techy to Back Stage Crew be ever so proud guys (‘Special mention’ to the ‘techy crew’ who efficiently dealt with that unforeseen problem).

Staging/Technical…
Stage Management Paul Dawson (Stage Manager) and his team of set designers/constructors/painters (Brian Heap, John Gostelow, David Flanagan, Christine Armstrong, Maureen Schofield, Maggie Hall, Veronica Teasdale, Mary B Hill, Val Miller and Patricia Ashurst and the Construction Team) should all be proud of what they help achieve! Lighting: was under the watchful eye of Owen Rasburn, Rachel Prater and Becky Hampson. Sound: Rick Kershaw, Matthew Smalley, Eve Rosler and Mike Dunn.  Wardrobe: Stacey Vernon, Ian Trumble, Mary B Hill, Barbara Rimmer.  Props/Stage Crew:  Elaine and Mary Delaney, Anne Martin, Dianne Halliwell, Ian Trumble, Kayla Warham and Deryn Ashton. 

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I to this production and many thanks to Anne Woolley for her welcome, hospitality and for giving me the opportunity to speak with Katie Davies before the production commenced!

Hope to see you all again soon… congrats again on a wonderful show!

Stay safe and keep well…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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