Royal Exchanges goes Around the World in 80 Days with New Vic

Jules Verne’s epic tale of Victorian eccentricity, romance and adventure arrives at the Royal Exchange next month in the first collaboration between them and the New Vic, Newcastle under Lyne.

Adapted from the original novel by Laura Eason, the show is aimed at families. Featuring a cast of eight, they are playing over a hundred characters within 33 scenes.

The story takes place across the globe, taking in continents, intrigue, love and even an elephant – all in the name of a bet. The eccentric Phileas Fogg wagers his life’s fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days with his hapless valet Passepartout.

The show is the first collaboration between the Royal Exchange and the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyne – both theatres-in-the-round.

It was originally seen at the New Vic last year and the same creative team are re-staging it again at the New Vic from 20 June to 5 July before bringing it to the Exchange.

Andrew Pollard and Michael Hugo are set to reprise their roles as Phileas Fogg and Passepartout and the cast also includes Pushpinder Chani, Okorie Chukwu, Rebecca Grant, Susan Hingley, Dennis Herdman and Matthew Rixon. Theresa Heskins is directing the piece.

The creative team is completed by Lis Evans (designer), James Atherton (composer), Beverly Edmunds (movement director), Alexandra Stafford (lighting) and James Earls-Davis (sound).

Around the World in 80 Days is at the Royal Exchange from 17 July – 16 August.