Andrew Pollard & Michael Hugo chat about Around the World in 80 Days

Can you tell us a bit about your characters?

Andrew: Phileas Fogg is a man of habit. He's everybody’s idea of a 'stiff upper lip' Englishman. He is punctual, courteous and dogged in the face of adversity. He agrees to the bet of going around the world in 80 days and is determined to accomplish it no matter what. What is great about this play is we see him change as a person, from a sort of remote, emotionally repressed kind of man to a man of passion and vigour. He also finds love, which is nice!

Michael: Passepartout (Jean) is a passionate excitable Parisian with a very colourful background. He is keen to forego adventure and settle down finally.

What attracted you to the piece?

Andrew: I've worked with the Director, Theresa Heskins, a lot over the past few years and she is marvellous at telling these epic tales in an exciting and immediate way. It was also fantastic to be asked to portray one of the most popular characters of Victorian literature.

Michael: It is a widely loved story and knowing how Theresa likes to make theatre made for an irresistible combination.

For many, it's a very nostalgic text. How's it gone down so far?

Andrew: It’s gone down a storm! The piece is so alive and fast-paced with none of the stuffiness and flabbiness often associated with Victorian storytelling. It is a joy to perform and we've had great feedback from audiences telling us that they feel like they've gone around the world with us. The funny thing is, even though they know the outcome, they still seem to be swept along by the story and characters.

Michael: People are loving it. We've had many standing ovations and audience members have been very excited and wanted to tell us about how much they've enjoyed it.

How is performing for so many children? Are they a 'knowing' audience?

Andrew: It has been great seeing and hearing their reaction to this show. The audience is asked to bring their imagination along for this show and of course kids have that in abundance so they love pretending along with us. There are also great set pieces which include fights and comedy which they obviously love.

Michael: Children are wonderful audiences. There are so many WOW moments and to hear the gasps is fantastic.

What do you love the most about performing in a production like this?

Andrew: It is a great ensemble piece, not only onstage but backstage. At the end of the show we are all knackered but in a really positive way and there's a real sense of having created something special. There have been very few nights where we haven't had a standing ovation and I think that's reflective of the hard work everyone puts in to this piece. It is also a show with great heart and people seem to respond to that too.

Michael: Although I love the discipline and slickness of such a capable company and the many safe hands we all feel we are in, it's the moments where things go a little wayward and the audience get in on it. I love the freshness and one-offness of these.

Why do you think texts like this and The 39 Steps are proving to be so popular as pieces of theatre?

Andrew: Firstly, they're great yarns – full of 'derring-do' and memorable characters. They also operate on many levels. They borrow from film in terms of style, genre and epic sweep but they have a great sense of theatricality about them too. I think this production, especially, being in-the-round, really embraces the audience until they are literally part of the play.

Michael: They are big stories that fill films, so to realise them on stage and play with the ways of harnessing the vastness is really exciting and requires great play and invention.

What's the funniest thing to happen to either of you on stage in this production so far?

Andrew: Well, I'm the straight man in this show but no show is the same with Mike Hugo on board. Mike is one of the best clowns and all-round entertainers I have ever seen or worked with. He steals the show – and rightly so! Every night something unexpected or funny happens with him on stage.

Michael: I love the improvised song at the top of act two. People are so generous in allowing a free form bit of nonsense to be written about them and it's always a surprise for us all. It's a very mischievous company too so we keep each other on our toes with delightful quirks.

Someone is reading the poster sceptically and thinking it's not for them, how would you persuade them?

Andrew: Well, for a start, without question, every single member of the family can see this show – which is quite rare. It is the most uplifting show I've ever been part of and quite simply, it's a bloody good night out!

Michael: I think I'd invite them to hear the reaction at the end of the show and book a ticket for the following night.

Around the World in 80 Days is at the New Vic until 5 July and the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester from 17 July – 16 August.