Jules Verne’s ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’

Phileas Fogg is a wealthy single man, living in London in 1872 who has a regular routine to ensure that everything he does, he does with mathematical precision.  However, when he enters into a wager in his Gentleman’s club he finds himself travelling across the globe utilising all the major transport routes of the day.  Taken from the original book, which was serialised in France, this play has a huge amount of humour and fun which the Thespians clearly enjoyed.

The cast of eight worked incredibly hard including the four members of the ensemble, Georgina Appleyard, Keving McDonnell, Jenny Taylor and Susannah Tunnacliffe who took on numerous roles as we travelled around the world with Mr Fogg.  They adapted well to the various parts, different costumes and changing accents and were also at times supported by the Stage Manager and Stage Crew who seemed keen to get in on the action.  Alistair Cheetham provided the narration to the story as Jules Verne and his measured delivery set just the right tone.

Sarah Liptrott was a somewhat bewildered though determined Inspector Fix, keen to arrest Fogg for a crime in London that he didn’t commit.   Narinder Uppal was delightful as Mrs Aouda, with lovely poise and an appropriate manner.  Playing Fogg’s manservant, Passepartout was Joshua Sanders.  Sanders had great timing, wonderful physicality and was incredibly well cast in this role.  The role of Phileas Fogg was taken by Dominic Vinton who was thoroughly ‘British’ in the part and in whom the audience could have every faith that he would arrive on time.

The set, including an elephant, had been well constructed by the Narnia Business Team and consisted of both a boat and a train, which like the active ensemble, quickly lent themselves to being varying vessels as the script required.  Table clothes and properties were adjusted to illustrate changing locations and small signs deftly added to show that we had moved from consul to consul – small touches which were noticed.  There was also clever use of digital displays either side of the stage to show Fogg’s journey and locations in a format definitely not used in the 1870s.  The Audio-Visual design and operation was well done and lighting was excellent.  The cast projected well and ensured that their narrative was enjoyed by the audience.

The play was light-hearted and entertaining, with uplifting messages and a nod to the season with Fogg arriving back to a snowy London.  A really enjoyable production and congratulations must go to Director, Lynne Whitaker, for taking us around the world without leaving Longwood and to the cast, crew and committee for their continued hard work.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.