by Mark Brown
based on the novel by Jules Verne
directed by Michael Evan Haney
July 11- September 7, 2008
In England in 1872, Phileas Fogg is the most exact of men. Well-traveled, very wealthy and with no friends or relatives of which to speak, he keeps his days on the most precise of schedules and spends his evenings at the local Reform Club. After a newspaper asserts that traveling around the world in 80 days is a legitimate possibility, Fogg and his fellow Londoners debate whether becoming a globetrotter is indeed that easy. Convinced he could accomplish the task, Fogg enters into a wager with the men, betting 20,000 pounds that he could complete the journey in the allotted time.
The race is on, and Fogg begins a journey that will include twists, turns and travel unlike you’ve ever seen — from train to boat, sled to elephant. A snooping detective who believes Fogg might be the thief, a possible human sacrifice, a runaway train and even the will of Mother Nature all conspire against Fogg’s adventure of a lifetime, threatening not only his journey but also the heart of the woman he loves.
“Quite a lark, A SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT THAT REVELS IN SIMPLE THEATRICAL ARTIFICE. IT’S NO-TECH PERFECTION! — NY Times
“A RIVETING TESTAMENT TO THE INGENIOUSNESS OF THE HUMAN IMAGINATION, truly in keeping with the spirit of Verne himself.” — The New Yorker
“You may revere the film version of Around the World in 80 Days, but watching 5 actors play 39 roles over 24,000 miles makes THE CAPER ELECTRIFYING, A PERFECT HOMAGE TO JULES VERNE.” — NEW YORK MAGAZINE
“IRISH REP PRESENTS A PERFECTLY SILLY MULTICHARACTER COMEDY, A RIPPING TALE OF ADVENTURE OVER ROUGH LANDS AND HIGH SEAS. …the cast of five speeds through four continents’ worth of wacky accents and daffy fixes. …and proves anew that THE STAGE CAN BE A WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT.” — TIME OUT
“AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS MATCHES FORM AND CONTENT BRILLIANTLY. A CRACKERJACK GROUP OF COMEDIANS. DID I SAY AERODYNAMIC? AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS LIFTS OFF — TAKING THE AUDIENCE WITH IT.” — BACKSTAGE
“GLEEFULLY AND THRILLINGLY. Haney’s production barrels along like a comic steam engine careening down a particularly precarious twist-filled track in the end.” — THEATERMANIA
“The audience, very ready for amusement, LAUGHED THEMSELVES APOPLECTIC. With its charming cast, impractical plot, and air-conditioned environs, Around the World makes for quite an amiable jaunt.” — VILLAGE VOICE