AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS.by Jules Verne.
Directed by Terence O’Connell. Ellis Productions and Aleksander Vass. The Q Theatre. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. August 2 – 5. 2017 Bookings 0262856290
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
While watching Ellis Productions
and Aleksander Vass’s production of Jules Vernes’ Around the World In 80 Days at Queanbeyan’s Q Theatre I am reminded
of the Chorus’s Prologue in Shakespeare’s Henry
V : “Can this cock pit hold the vasty fields of France.”
Jules Vernes’ nineteenth century
epic tale of the travails of Phileas Fogg to circumnavigate the world in eighty days
to secure a wager with sceptical members of the Reform Club is a prophetic
announcement of the remarkable advances in technology and transport that will
change the world in the following century. Vernes’ predictions of submarines
and man’s landing on the moon have come true, and aircraft can now
circumnavigate the world in a matter of hours rather than days.
To bring Fogg’s journey, accompanied
by his valet Passepartout and pursued by Detective Fix of Scotland Yard to the
stage with only three actors is a gargantuan challenge, and one that is only
partially met. A bet to achieve such a
task is not one that I would readily wager. The touring production is
impeccably designed, lit and staged. It is professional in its aspect and
competent in its performance. Three very good actors play the roles of Fogg
(Ian Stenlake), Passepartout (Sharon Millechip) and Fitch (Wayne Scott Kermond ), and
keep up a frenetic pace changing characters in the blink of an eye. It is
primarily left top the versatile, lively and charismatic Millechip to take on
the majority of changes with some support from Kermond as the rescued Indian
princess, in particular. Teremce O’Connell is a veteran of the stage and
embraces the challenge with imagination, drive and energy, and he keeps the
pace rollicking along.
And therein lies a problem.
Director O’Connell keeps the performance moving at a crackerjack pace, with
deft moments of farce, pantomime and a briskly told narrative to try and keep
audiences of all ages from seven up to speed. It is a clever and lively strategy,
but Vernes’ panoramic splendour becomes diluted in the telling. For those,
unfamiliar with the novel, there may be moments of confusion as the trio sweep
along from England to India to Yokohama in japan and the coast of England.
There is much to enjoy about this fresh and frolicking version of events, an
animated romp, with more show than substance.
Audiences will enjoy this
professionally told production. The performances are solid, although Stenlake’s
Fogg lacks a certain impetuous resolve and driven determination and Kermond’s
Fix seemed at times to lack the projection of confidence. Millerchip offers the
effervescence and zestful spirit that fills the stage with fun.
Credit is due to an excellent
touring design which recalls the Coles Picture Book drawings of another
century. The designer is not credited in the programme I was given, but touches
such as the moving hands of the clock and the rising trunk of the elephant
bring the adventure to life.
Perhaps this stage adaptation of
Around The World In 80 Days works best as a simple and enjoyable introduction
to Jules Vernes’ classic tale. However, I would recommend that the real
experience would be better gained by reading the book or even hiring the DVD of
Mike Todd’s spectacular Cinemascope film with its suprb locations and brilliant
performances by David Niven, Cantinflas, Robert Newton and Shirley Maclaine as
Princess Aouda. Failing that, Ellis Productions and Aleksander Vass have staged
an enjoyable introduction to Jules Vernes’ immortal tale.
