Around The World In 80 Days - Tilted Wig Review

Post

Subscribe

Tue 14 Feb 2023 - Sat 29 Jul 2023

The reason behind this Tilted Wig production is a well-meaning one from when Covid lockdowns were making everyone go stir-crazy. Unable to travel, Juliet Forster got the idea of creating a play that would bring the world to the audience instead.

And what better book to turn to than this, Jules Verne globe-trotting classic! Adapting it to stage proved not as expected as Forster noticed little detail about far-flung places and that's when she looked to the articles of real-life female Philias Fogg, Victorian Journalist Nellie Bly.

What Forster has produced is a fresher, alternative version of Around The World in 80 Days that is fun, energetic and bang up to date culturally.

I caught the UK tour of Around The World in 80 Days at Malvern Theatres , where it stays until Saturday February 18 - but it is touring until July. The same old story is in there with refined, unemotional gent Philias - in fact, it's more true to the novel than many TV adaptations- but overlapping his journey is also Nellie Bly's.

Aimed at anyone over five years old, the small likeable cast makes references to outdated views of nationalities and empires in a jokey fashion, so it addresses them lightly and updates the story for a new generation.

The quickly adapted set uses a circus tent to transform the scene on this worldwide journey with a nifty sign to let everyone know where we are. It's the fascinating acting and creativity used in this clever production that enables the world to come to Malvern.

Using a scarf to recreate an elephant and a ladder to re-enact a perilous train journey are imaginative additions that reach out to all ages. All the cast take on several roles and are in fine form.



Alex Phelps leads as Phileas but Eddie Mann as Detective Fix following the hero steals the show by adlibbing and adding even more hilarity to the show. Katriona Brown is an enticing Nellie Bly that will surely encourage youngsters to go on their own adventures while Wilson Benedito as Passepartout and Genevieve Sabherwal as Aouda impress as Phileas' main companions.

While it's got a circus theme, don't expect to be dazzled by any stunts as they mainly revolve around twirling some hula hoops and balancing on a see-saw. There was room to improve on those.

Ultimately it's the slapstick fun and interwoven stories that provide a fun, fresh version of this age-old classic. Kids will adore it but this captivating play is a clever, intrepid treat for all ages.

The UK tour stops off at Coventry, Bromley, Oldham, Richmond, Cardiff and more between February and July. See all the dates at Tilted Wig's website here

#theatre
#performing_arts
#shows
#drama
#theatre_review

%wnbirmingham
%wnlondon
%wnmanchester