Leeds Playhouse – until 28April 2019
Reviewed by Sally Richmond
5*****
Around the World in Eighty Days, based on the famous novel by Jules Verne, is primarily set in Victorian England and is the story of Phileas Fogg, an eccentric toff, who takes a wager that he will be able to go around the world in eighty days. The spirit of adventure was bubbling high at the turn of the century and so with his valet Passepartout, Fogg sets off using all forms of transport available to him within the era. What ensues is a fast-moving frolic of a show filled with madcap mayhem. It is brought to us by four outstanding actors (Darren Kuppan, Joe Alessi, Robert Pickavance and Dan Parr) who give it their all with highly energetic and lively performances from start to finish.
Some outstanding moments were during the train sequence which is a really well crafted set piece, that contains vaudeville performances with extremely funny laugh-out-loud slapstick moments due to perfect comic timing. Another spectacular and theatrical scene is set on a boat in a storm and it really showcases the broad range of skills the actors possess; as we go from playful childlike humour to something more serious.
The set is simple yet effective and it allows us to really appreciate how the actors use their bodies within such a small space to produce carefully controlled movements, bringing the colourful and exciting journey of our protagonist, Fogg, to life. The gifted and talented actors switch between scenes and characters seamlessly and really bring the novel to life whilst making the audience roar with laughter.
I promise you, this show will not disappoint and is one that all the family will enjoy as it is bursting energy and creativity. There was a wide range of ages at the performance I was lucky enough to attend and looking around the room, at an audience of both young and old, all had expressions of sheer delight on their faces.