Theatre Review - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Fogg (Roger Liddle) Fix (Sean Burnside) Von Darius (Ruth Gibson) Mrs Aouda (Nadia Rafi-Kenny)
photo Mark Burden

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, adapted for the stage by Laura Eason, tells the story of the wealthy aristocrat Phileas Fogg, who lives a happy and very predictable life. He frequents the Club to play Whist the same time everyday meeting the same people, never having even ventured out of England. All this changes when someone claims it is not likely that anyone could traverse the world in a mere eighty days. Much to the chagrin of his new valet Passepartout (who was hoping for a quiet life), the pair are swept into an adventure that spans the globe. With so many obstacles thrown in their path, will they make it back to England in eighty days?

Director Mark Burden certainly had a mammoth task on his hands, creating an ever-moving show that follows Fogg’s remarkable journey. The staging of scenes, involving boats, trains and, my personal favourite, an elephant, uses actors and props in an ingenious and fun way. The set, designed by Sands Dobson and Tim Swinton, is a triumph of simple, well-chosen adaptations such as stairs painted to be suitcases. In an interesting touch, open suitcases lie across the back of the stage containing props and costumes for the Ensemble to use as they change roles during the play. They also occasionally watch the show with us, in an almost Brechtian twist. Roger Liddle is superb as the eccentric Phileas Fogg, as he rescues Mrs Aouda, played by Nadia Rafi-Kenny. Moira Valentine is funny, heroic and extremely lovable as Fogg’s valet, Passepartout. Meanwhile, the wily Inspector Fix, played by Sean Burnside, will make you wish it was panto season so you can ‘boo’ his underhand and ungentlemanlike behaviour.

For me the star(s) of the show were the Ensemble (Daniel Magee, Cat White, James Hardy, Jess Chapman, Ruth Gibson, Isabella Warburton Brown, Geffen Yoeli-Rimmer, Alison Carr, Jo McEvedy and Sands Dobson), who wove in and out of each other like a needle and thread. Not only that, they also created the multitude of eccentric characters Fogg encountered along the way, forming an atmospheric background and became a variety of different transportations. The Ensemble swayed with such perfect synchronicity as crew on several ships, I almost felt seasick!

Around the World in 80 Days is well worth the bus fare!

Showing at the Peoples Theatre until 29^th November.

Passpartout (Moira Valentine) Insp Fix (SeanBurnside)
photo Mark Burden