Cast

Synopsis

The very precise Phileas Fogg of London and his valet, Passepartout, attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days for a £20,000 wager from members of the Reform Club. Followed by Inspector Fix, who has mistaken him for a thief, Fogg and Passepartout travel the world having adventures and meeting entertaining and interesting characters along the way. Will they make it back to London in time to win their bet without being arrested and will the unflappable Mr Fogg find love?

Directors Notes

When choosing this year’s Kaleidoscope production it was agreed that, in order to vary our productions, we should do something lighter in tone than in the previous year. After much discussion, Around the World in Eighty Days was suggested. We agreed that the story would suit our requirements but finding a suitable adaptation posed a problem. It was then tentatively suggested that I write the adaptation and could then tailor it to the needs of Kaleidoscope. Adapting the novel into a script proved to be an exciting and enjoyable project, especially knowing that it would be a collaborative effort with Katy Gaul composing original music. One of the difficulties posed in adapting the novel for the stage was that only one female character appears in the book. I have therefore changed the sex of some characters and added others. I hope that this has worked well. I have tried to give each member of the cast a character to make their own as well as trying to keep the chorus work entertaining to rehearse. I’m sure that you will forgive some of the anachronisms (such as the air hostess characters) that I have employed for the sake of ‘artistic licence’ as the show was never intended as an entirely historically accurate portrayal of the time! And if anyone is wondering where the balloon is – it isn’t actually in the book. I also don’t think our backstage crew would have been too pleased if I had written in a balloon in as well as an elephant!