Around the World in 80 Days, 3 Stars

Around the World in 80 Days
Richmond Theatre 16th to 20th May 2023
and UK Tour til July 2023

Jules Vernes original characters are transformed in Forsters adaptation, embracing different modes of transport and they journey across the globe. Audiences can join the Ringmaster, the Acrobat, the Clown, the Trick Rider, and the Knife Thrower on their frantic race to travel Around the World in 80 Days.
Tilted Wig Productions was formed in 2017 by Katherine Senior and Matthew Parish who have over twelve years of experience producing and touring plays throughout the UK, taking over 20 productions out on the road. Their shows now tour around some of the biggest theatres in the UK, yet their original ethos has always remained the same: whether Titled Wig is producing a classic play or a vibrant new adaptation, they will always aim to inspire a bright and innovative creative team to take their stories UKwide

Review by Richard Lambert, 3 Stars

A family show but one that starts at 19:30 and ends at 22:05 on a school night might account for the small audience with very few children.

Set in the very wonderful Richmond Theatre the stage looks like a circus ring but we’re on a ship that’s travelling around the world. There’s a ladder, a trap door, a see saw and a couple of ramps to change it up a little and keep the children entertained. A highlight being a baton twirler who’s baton is an LED Stick that creates a very realistic and impressive fire ring.

The house lights stayed on for the performance I attended and when I asked the front of house staff why, I was informed that  it was an “audio assisted” performance and the house lights stay on so patrons can view their smart phones. I wonder if anyone was using this service?

The performances, as is often the case with theatre in education and children’s shows, would fall into the category of “absurd” theatre, over-acted, hammy and rather shouty. Although the cast gave it their all and were full of energy I did wonder if this is what children actually want? With the audience mainly middle aged and so few children it was hard to tell if this style of delivery worked on the intended audience. There was little variation throughout the performance and it remained full on from start to finish.

The audience did appear to enjoy the show.

Title: Around the World in 80 Days
Running time 120 mins plus interval.

Box Office Tickets are available from the theatre websites with all direct links
accessed from
https://www.tiltedwigproductions.com/booknow

Cast

Alex Phelps

Katriona Brown

Wilson Benedito

Genevieve Sabherwal

Eddie Mann

Writer Jules Verne

Director Juliet Forster

Set Designer Sara Perks
Lighting Designer Alexandra Stafford

Composer & Sound Designer Ed Gray

Movement Director Asha JenningsGrant

Fight Director Jonathan Holby

Costume Supervisor Hazel Jupp

Company Stage Manager David North

Deputy Stage Manager Sophie Duffin

Producer Tilted Wig for York Theatre Royal

Age Guidance and Notes This production is suitable for ages 5+

Facebook @tiltedwigproductions
Twitter @tiltedwiguk

Instagram @tiltedwig

Performance Dates:
2nd 4th February York Theatre Royal

St Leonard’s Pl
ace, York YO1 7HD

10th 12th February Eden Court, Inverness
Bishops R
oad, Inverness IV3 5SA

14th 19th February Malvern Theatres
Grange
Road, Great Malvern, Malvern WR14 3HB

23rd 26th February Crewe Lyceum
Heath St
reet, Crewe CW1 2DA

28th February 4th March The Grand Theatre, Blackpool
33 Church St
reet, Blackpool FY1 1HT

9th March 12th March The Beck Theatre, Hayes
Grange R
oad, Hayes UB3 2UE

16th 18th March Corn Exchange, Newbury
Market Pl
ace, Newbury RG14 5BD

21st 25th March Darlington Hippodrome
Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1R
R

28th March 1ST April Exeter Northcott
Stocker R
oad, Exeter EX4 4QB

4th 8th April Buxton Opera House
Water St
reet, Buxton SK17 6XN

11th 15th April New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
C
ivic Drive, Ipswich IP1 2AS

20th 23rd April Palace Theatre, Southend, 430 London Road, WestcliffonSea, SouthendonSea, Westcliffon
Sea SS0 9L
A

25th 29th April Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Balkerne Gat
e, Colchester CO1 1PT

2nd 6th May Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Exchange St
reet, Aylesbury HP20 1UG

8th 13th May Theatre Royal Winchester
Jewry St
reet, Winchester SO23 8SB

16th 20th May Richmond Theatre
1 L
ittle Green, Richmond TW9 1QH

30th May 3rd June Albany Theatre, Coventry
Alban
y Road, Coventry CV5 6JQ

5th 10th June Derby Theatre
15, Theatre Walk, Derby DE1 2N
F

13th 17th June Lighthouse, Poole
Centre For
the Arts, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1UG

22nd 25th June New Theatre, Cardiff
Park Pl
ace, Cardiff CF10 3LN

5th 8th July Cast, Doncaster
Waterdale, Doncaster DN1
3BU/

19th 22nd July Churchill Theatre, Bromley
High St
reet, Bromley BR1 1HA