The new season at Theatre by the Lake has kicked off with a classic production of Around the World in 80 Days which surprises, delights and has audiences in hysterics.
Like the ticking clock timing Phileas Fogg’s journey to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days or less, the timing of the action is precise. From the opening scenes, depicting Fogg’s meticulous daily routine, the choreography of this piece of theatre is set high and is delivered with style and humour.
This hilarious production is nothing like the recent TV adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic book. This is the story of a man’s wager that he could travel around the world in 80 days – and failure would mean a loss of his colossal personal wealth. Stefan Adegbola is so perfectly cast as Fogg, combining the high-handed, aloofness of the man while retaining an innocence that makes the character someone you care about.
A man of facts, where actions are either right or wrong, Fogg’s decisions are objective, down to sacking his manservant for serving his morning tea a few degrees too hot. However, this provides the opportunity to hire a new valet, Passepartout played superbly by Miriam O’Brien. The French women-servant is a bundle of joy and exuberance. O’Brien’s presence fills the stage with light and is the perfect counterbalance to Adegola’s Phileas Fogg restrain.
Following a gold robbery in London, the duo are followed by Detective Fix of Scotland Yard, played by Dyfrig Morris with great comic timing. Morris creates a lovable character, whose belief that Fogg is the thief drives him along a difficult but amusing trail.
The bare stage with the world set into the revolving stage provides the perfect foundations for this wonderfully cast production to take you from London to Europe, India, the Far East, America and back. The creative team behind this Theatre by the Lake and Hull Truck Theatre production have used all their skills, imagination and wit to take us across the globe by steam train, boat and even an elephant. The puppetry by Naomi Oppenheim is magical.
The rescuing of Mrs Aouda, played by Saba Shiraz brings another element into the journey for Fogg. Shiraz gives a strong performance. As Fogg, Passepartout and Mrs Aouda continue together on the challenge.
This tale is from a bygone era yet has a new freshness and appeal for a modern audience in this version by Laura Eason. The direction by Hal Chambers brings every element of this play alive.
Tricia Adele-Turner as Captain Speedy is a joy to watch and Purvi Parmar as Captain Blossom is a strong character. Nicholas Prasad as Mr Naidu and Niall Ransome as Colonel Stamp Proctor give excellent performances as Fogg’s friends at the gentleman’s club where the idea of the bet becomes a reality are strong characters. And the cast also creates the other characters along the journey including the rock-n-roll cowboy which is another highlight of this brilliant production.
From trains to boats, the journey is filled with beautiful stage movements, clever script and quality acting. From the start, the audience was howling with laughter. The opening of the second half of the play is pure joy – an unexpected and hilarious scene set in a big top.
This production has been so well cast there are no weaknesses. Though the tale has four main characters this is an ensemble that works together as one well-oiled machine – like the ticking clock marking the success or failure of Fogg’s challenge.
The final scene encapsulates the cleaver joy of this production and completes the most wonderful journey for the audience.
This play has something for all to enjoy and makes a perfect family trip to the theatre. Throughout the run of this production, there are relaxed, captioned and audio-described performances.
This journey around the world is a fun-filled escape from the boring and mundane.
Around the World in 80 Days in the Main House, Theatre by the Lake runs until Saturday, April 29th. For more details and to book tickets visit www.theatrebythelake.com
Reviewer: Karen Morley-Chesworth
Reviewed: 6th April 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★