[h2]Around The World In 80 Days, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme[/h2]
59 characters, six trains, six boats, a circus act and an elephant feature in a rip-roaring night of theatre as The New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme invite you to follow the exploits of wealthy Phileas Fogg, who wagers his fortune in his belief that he will be able to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days.
[blockquote]The classic Jules Verne novel is bought to life in an irreverent style an a new production playing at the New Vic Theatre in Staffordshire until 11 May[/blockquote]
Director Theresa Heskins certainly has a hard act to follow though, with the recent success of the New Vic’s ‘The Thrill Of Love’, a play about murderer Ruth Ellis – the last woman to be hanged in the UK – which received major success and a transfer to the bright lights of the London. However to be fair this is a very different piece to compare, and if early reviews are anything to go by, this should not be a worry for either Theresa or the hard-working cast of eight who energetically take the audience on a roller coaster ride around the globe at a breakneck pace.
In fact it is in the speed and style of delivery where most of the audience will no doubt find the joy, as the small cast employ a myriad of hat changes and clever use of props to dizzying effect and bring to life an epic tale of Victorian bravado, eccentricity and daring.
Phileas Fogg – played by Andrew Pollard, along with his trusty manservant Passepartout – (Michael Hugo), face bandits, storms and skullduggery and must save a princess from certain death, all while being pursued by detectives assuming them as bank robbers. Racing through Europe, Asia and America, they jump from train to boat to elephant and back again, and still make it back to jolly old London in time for tea – or do they??
If it all sounds a bit child’s play – be rest assured this isn’t children’s theatre. Far from it.
In the same vein as Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of the THIRTY-NINE STEPS – this is a rollicking night of theatre for everyone, with a classic piece of French literature presented with its tongue firmly placed in its cheek, (the cheek right next to its stiff upper lip that is!). Such fun!
Get your passport stamped before the train steams away for good on 11 May 2013
[h3]When is it[/h3]
Friday 19 Apr – Saturday 11 May 2013
Captioned: 7.30 pm Weds 8 May & Audio Described: 2.15 pm Sat 11 May
[h3]Where is It[/h3]
New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0JG
[h3]How to Book[/h3]
Tickets: £12.00 – £21.00 (concessions: £2.00 off) | Group Discounts: £2.00 off for ten or more
First Night Fever: All seats £14.50 Fri 19 Apr (Under 26s Go Free)
Box Office : 01782 717962
