Review: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS or a Comical Victorian Era Amazing Race?

A small stage, a clever set, creative direction, and 3 talented actors is all you need to whisk away an audience, as proven by AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS at the Alex Theatre in St Kilda.

With the stage adaptation of Jules Verne's classic by Toby Hulse, the story begins and ends in London. Well, Burlington Gardens, London.
Saville Row, Burlington Gardens, London.
No. 7 Saville Row, Burlington Gardens, London in 1872.
Well, October, 1872.
Wednesday October 2nd, 1872.
Twenty two minutes after eleven, Wednesday October 2nd, 1872.

It's this kind of wordiness and repetition that makes the script a little heavy and slow which is difficult for a story all about pace and speed but the actors warm up throughout the first act and really keep you engaged throughout the second.

Ian Stenlake portrays the true English gentleman Phineas Fogg with aplomb. A commanding stage presence from beginning to end and a much needed anchor for the trio. Pia Miranda as the comic Passepartout, the newly hired valet to Fogg, is energetic and endearing. She also bounds about the stage as a multitude of other characters with accents from all around the globe. She took over the role of narrator towards the end of the show with some seamless transitions but her narrator needed a little more authority and wisdoM. Grant Piro rounds out the three person cast and was by all accounts the comic strength of the show. With strong characters and perfect comic timing, he was a delight in every scene. All three actors were exceptional at the disctinction between the multitude of roles they played, despite some questionable accents, with the help of their consummate director.

The truly clever stage direction from Terence O'Connell, combined with the artful set design of Merinda Backway, took us on trains, ships, an elephant, and a hot air balloon with conviction and surprise. The set was a delightful extra cast member! Despite a few technical projection issues, the technical design by both Jason Bovaird and Dave Ellis adds to the whimsy and drama of the show whilst also helping keep track of the 80 day journey.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS is a fun and comic journey with charming characters, delightful design, but a need for speed.

Playing at the Alex Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne until 4 September 2016, before a regional tour to Geelong, Mooroolbark and Nunawading.

Photos: James Terry

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