Performed by Alfresco Actors, who specialise in bringing live theatre to the great outdoors, opening their latest production of Around the World in 80 Days on arguably the hottest day of the year shows the boldness of this company.
Around the World in Eighty Days is Jules Verne's classic 1872 adventure novel about Phileas Fogg, a wealthy and extremely punctual English gentleman who makes an extraordinary wager with members of his London club that he can travel around the entire world in just 80 days. This compact stage adaptation by Chris Fung has been designed to fit the Alfresco Actors rep touring model and the unique musical talents of the cast.
The setting for the London run could hardly be more glorious. Tucked away in the gardens of The Actors' Church in Covent Garden, the wooden stage sits amongst flowers, trees and greenery, creating a wonderfully intimate setting for this globe-trotting adventure.
The show is performed by Troup 1 from the company – a talented group of four actor-musicians who burst onto the stage with an infectious sense of energy. Each performer plays an instrument — violin, trombone, guitar, accordion and percussion among them — with the music woven throughout the storytelling. Composed by Thomas F. Arnold, these aren't so much conventional songs as musical accompaniment with words, adding rhythm and momentum to Fogg's increasingly eventful journey.
All performers leap between the 45 characters featured in this adaptation with aplomb, using accents, physicality and quick costume changes to populate Fogg's adventure. Tom Crabtree takes on the role of Fogg, bringing stature to the role, joined by Tali Nishihara Jones (Aouda), Lucy Little (Detective Fix) and Felix Gillingwater, as Fogg's French personal assistant Passepartout. Gillingwater is particularly superb, bringing great physical comedy to the role. Completely in his element, Gillingwater elevates the material, incorporating hilarious improvisations and according to the program, he also plays accordion, piano, mandolin and bass to professional level – ‘the fool'.
The simple set evolves as Phileas Fogg travels further from home. What begins with British flags is gradually embellished with bright orange Indian marigold garlands, jungle greens and an assortment of props, allowing the company to conjure up each new destination with little more than a few visual flourishes and plenty of imagination.
There's no amplification used during the performance which was fine for this intimate garden setting. The company cleverly works around this by rarely competing with their instruments: rather than singing over the music, they pause the playing to deliver the words before picking up the musical phrase again.
The costumes, designed by Damien Stanton, begin with the performers in a palette of neutral creams, beiges and earthy tones, with simple trousers and shirts providing a versatile base. Coats, hats, waistcoats, saris and other pieces are then layered on as needed to transform them into the many characters Fogg encounters. It was hard not to feel for the actors wearing multiple layers of thick clothing and jackets on such a hot evening.
Tara Noonan has directed a show full of fun and lively storytelling that is delivered without fuss. There's a relaxed, playful quality to the production that feels particularly at home in this outdoor setting. The pace softens slightly midway through Act Two where Noonan briefly pauses the adventure to acknowledge the darker legacy of colonialism. While the intention is understandable, attempting to address such a complex subject in a few minutes feels more tokenistic than illuminating, and sits awkwardly within the production's otherwise buoyant, fast-moving style.
But other than that, this is a high-energy, feel-good show, with the performers feeding off each other — and the audience — to keep elevating the fun. There's a spontaneity and generosity to the performance that perfectly suits the relaxed outdoor setting. On a warm summer's evening, the chance to discover this unique little theatre space while enjoying such lively storytelling is a real treat for anyone in London.
Review: Lola Phillips