Theatre Review: Around The World In 80 Days @ The New Vic

Review by Dave Stringer from A View from the Wings Podcast

Thirteen years after its first showing, a history that includes success on Broadway and seven years after being mothballed due to the pandemic, Around The World In 80 Days is back home. And how delighted we all are that such a splendid piece of enjoyment is back where it truly belongs.

Wonderful theatrical experiences such as this deserve a special theatre to spread their wings. We in North Staffordshire are so proud to say that the New Vic is that special space and we are so proud to say that productions such as this prove that we are so lucky to have a world-beating theatre and team of creatives on our doorstep.

The story of Around The World is so well known and Laura Eason has made an excellent job of adapting Jules Verne’s adventures for the stage while Director Theresa Heskins has woven her magic to get the best from both her cast and her background team to create a masterpiece that must not be missed.

Phileas Fogg (Andrew Pollard) is a meticulous man who believes that all runs by logic and timing. So, when he is challenged by fellow whist players (Pushpinder Chani and Thomas Cotran) that he cannot do a circumnavigation of the planet within eighty days, Fogg wagers his all to prove that the feat is possible. With his trusty valet Passepartout (Michael Hugo) and a volume of Bradshaw’s, the valiant explorer has his route mapped out to the minute.

Logically, the journey seems a simple task so long as everything runs smoothly. Unfortunately, there are many hindrances on the way. Inspector Fix (Dennis Herdman) is determined to arrest Fogg for an alleged bank robbery so that he can claim a huge reward, Passepartout is arrested for disobeying religious practice before being duped into tasting the rotten fruit of an opium den. A purported new railway line that crosses India has actually not been finished and the train crossing America comes under attack. Add in the fact that the duo is increased by one when widow Mrs Aouda (Purvi Parmar) is rescued from her late husband’s funeral pyre to become very much a love interest and the epic trek becomes ever challenging

All of this means that tight deadlines are narrowly missed but Fogg proves that a bit of English stiff upper lip (and a bag full of money) allow characters played by Elliot Parchment-Morrison and Kiara Nicole Pillai to save the day.

Or do they? With the clock ticking down to 9pm will that crucial deadline be achieved? And what part will the watch handed down to Passepartout by his father play in the final outcome? Suffice to say that the audience was so invested in the outcome that it erupted into applause and cheering in the final scenes and followed with a standing ovation.

Michael Hugo is the master of this type of production. A wonderful sense of comic timing, an ability to adapt to situations and a marvellous skill with physical comedy mean that Around The World is the perfect vehicle to allow him to perform to his best. Pollard carries off his character to perfection and has an ideal relationship with Parmar who responds extremely well. Herdman is an excellent pantomime villain and took the boos that he received as rightful credit for his performance.

In a production that saw multiple changes of character – including a herd of buffalo -, circus acts, wonderfully created fight scenes and choreography and travel by train, boat, land yacht and elephant all so dramatically and comically portrayed.

The action was once again moved on with a great score from composer James Atherton and lighting and sound from Alexandra Stafford and Alex Day. Special mention must also go to Beverley Norris-Edmunds. You truly are the Queen of Movement Direction and Choreography.

Hopefully this production will return to the stage much earlier than its recent hiatus of seven years. It deserves to be seen more than once and I could have watched this for 80 days never mind the one night.

Wow!! This was five star, triple A, top of the drawer matchless entertainment. Well done to the New Vic, Theresa Heskins, the cast and creatives for a superb production

Around The World In 80 Days has a running time of approximately 2 hours 20 minutes including interval and continues until June 20^th. For ticket information contact 01782 717962 or tickets@newvictheatre.org.uk