Theatre by the Lake's Around the World in 80 Days is an action-packed, energetic, hilarious whirlwind of a show.
The perfect post-pandemic play, it hurtles us around the globe in great theatrical style.
The play by Laura Eason, based on the novel by Jules Verne, all starts quite sedately. Phileas Fogg is waking and being meticulously prepared for the day by various attentive staff.
He's clearly a man who likes his routine, whether that's when drinking tea or playing whist at the club.
Not the sort of person you would expect to bet his entire fortune that he can travel around the world in 80 days.
Which sets the tone of the unexpected and continues throughout the rest of the show.
Mr Fogg (Stefan Adegbola) and his trusty valet, Passepartout (Miriam O'Brien), set off on a colourful journey to faraway lands. They’ll hop from Italy to India, skip ship in Hong Kong and jump straight into dustbowl America.
His serious, no-nonsense demeanour is brilliantly highlighted by the sparkling Passepartout, who loves a bit of nonsense and excels at connecting with the audience.
Forget Trip Adviser and Skyscanner, this is the exciting age of invention.
Mr Fogg has one trusted book of timetables and ends up voyaging by boat, train, sledge and even elephant, on an epic adventure of wonder, danger and romance.
Closely followed much of the time by the bungling Detective Fix (Dyfrig Morris) of Scotland Yard, who thinks he's on to a big money-making arrest.
This all sounds hugely ambitious from a production point of view but director Hal Chambers and designer Louie Whitemore nail it - with stunning sets, skilful puppetry, music, choreography and lights.
Steamy stations, rolling ships, death-defying sledge rides are beautifully evoked. A surreal circus and crazy cowboy horseback shoot-out are hilariously staged.
The eight-strong team of actors are seriously put through their paces as they career around the globe stage in the seemingly non-stop action. They brilliantly cover an entertaining array of quirky characters.
Presented by Theatre by the Lake and Hull Truck Theatre, Around the World in 80 days runs until April 29.
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