FROM publication as a book in 1872 to the Jackie Chan movie in 2004, Around the World in 80 Days has captivated millions and this production brings a fresh but hilarious take on the classic.
The stage is set with a staircase of suitcases and a large backdrop of a map, the sound of ticking noises and steam engines filling the room. From the very beginning of the production, by Theresa Heskin and Laura Eason, the small cast of eight bring comedy, fun and liveliness to the stage.
Andrew Pollard as central character Phileas Fogg and Michael Hugo as his loyal valet Passepartout created a comedic and occasionally serious contrast, which provided a lot of funny moments for young and old during the performance.
The cast not only provided entertainment on the stage, but used the full theatre to bring the show to life, running up and down the aisles and bringing the audience up on to the stage to take part.
You may be wondering how they managed to fit multiple locations around the world on to a small stage. The clever use of backdrops, a range of music, costumes and props allowed the audience to be transported to a number of countries. In particular, the clever structuring of a grey raincoat to create an elephant during the India scene both amazed and amused the audience.
One particularly impressive aspect of the performance was the use of motion to create the idea of travel. The cast portrayed trains, steamer boats and of course a ride on an elephant by simply swaying from side to side and moving the props with them to create the image of a swaying ship in the waves.
The performance had comedy in abundance, a lot of which stemmed from the well-choreographed fight scenes performed by the cast. The acrobatic talents of the cast came through as they used a range of flips and tricks to create the fights, and a rather impressive circus act scene.
The highlight of the performance was without a doubt Passepartout, his forgivably-naïve nature and French accent made him an audience-favourite. Interacting with the audience and not being afraid to make himself look silly, he was the most memorable character of the night.
The best advice would be to go and see the performance for yourself. The performance is running until the 7th January 2018, so you still have plenty of time to see it. The actors and actresses, the props, music and comedy all combined perfectly together for an overall very enjoyable evening.
I know my view, but what did you think of the performance?
Anyone who watched ‘Around the world in 80 days’ last night at the Lowry Theatre, did you enjoy it? I know I did!? @The_Lowry
— Leanne (@Leanneowenblog) December 8, 2017
If you need tempting anymore, you can see a little snippet below. And you can find more information about the performance here.
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