The Altrincham Garrick Theatre Company is an amateur theatre group who present an eclectic season of shows
each year from Murder Mysteries to Musicals. So whilst I was excited to see
this production, I wasn’t sure what to expect of Laura Eason’s stage adaptation
of the Jules Verne classic ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. The advertisements
were promising ‘A wonderful romp for all ages’ but looking around the theatre, I
was expecting families to be watching but all I could see was the ageing season
ticket holders with a smattering of grandchildren accompanying them. What was
notable though was that it was a full house and on an opening night (Monday), that’s a
testament to the reputation of this theatre company’s quality and this
performance did not disappoint.
As the title would suggest, the
story follows Phileas Fogg as he places a wager on being able to travel around
the world in just 80 days. Of course in
2018, this would be an easy undertaking with a passport and a good few bob in
the bank. Jules Verne however was
writing this story at the end of the nineteenth century before the invention of
aeroplanes. So setting this huge story as a stage play was quite a mean feat for
playwright Laura Eason, as well as the company producing it. So the actors really
had their work cut out for them with a multitude of roles to play across a cast
of just twelve. However they managed to tell the story of this epic tale with vivacious
energy and super smooth transitions from scene to scene and country to country.
The supporting ensemble in particular were lively and well directed in their
plethora of worldwide roles (including some impressive accents) as well as the
constant stage movement of set and props, choreographed beautifully to create a
real sense of momentum throughout.
The style of the piece was a
comedy parody and this troupe of multi-talented performers really knew how to
deliver. The tongue-in-cheek humour was enhanced by the audience interaction at
several times throughout the performance. A particular favourite of mine was in
the stormy ship sequence where they used an audience member to move the set
around to show the choppy seas. There was also some success in the sense of
travelling shown by the characters parading around the auditorium.
The lead actors of the play were wonderfully entertaining
and clearly had had some skilful direction from the talented Celia Bonner. The
two protagonists had a marvellous rapport with one another and the audience. Phileas Fogg, the stereotypical stiff upper-lipped English gentleman, was cleverly characterised with a super sense of
comedy by Jamie Sloan. Despite the stereotype, Sloan brought an edginess to the
role which was sharp and witty. His sidekick Passepartout, the French valet who
accompanies him across the globe was also wonderful to watch. Played by Tim
Cooper, he had the energy and physicality reminiscent of Lee Evans and had the
audience in stitches.
Design by Margaret Norris and
team was extremely successful, with the set design being grandiose yet retaining
a functional simplicity. A scaffold, created a higher level upstage centre with
steps either side for access and a large map of the world suspended above it. I
thought the use of the map was a really clever idea with signs moving across
it, placed by the ensemble, to track Phileas Fogg’s journey across the globe. The
use of projection either side of the stage to title the scenes was also helpful
but wasn’t necessary as the cast and set design was doing a marvellous job of
this. One of the most simple but effective aspects of design was the use of
suitcases to create spaces such as trains and sledges. The ease of movement
with these suitcases really helped to move the action forward smoothly.
The lighting also, skilfully created
the changing weather across the globe and the passing of time. I particularly
enjoyed the use of the lighting to show the fires burning on the ship coming
across the Atlantic ocean. In fact there wasn’t a single weak link in the design
of this production and I think it is this which gives the Altrincham Garrick a real sense of professionalism which is well worth looking out for in other
shows.
The performance runs until
Saturday 29th September and tickets may still be available from http://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/shows/around-the-world-in-80-days/
if you get in quickly!
Reviewer - Johanna Hassouna-Smith
on - 24/9/18
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