Glossop's Partington Players have used every trick in the book to stage their version of 'Around the World in 80 Days'.

But does it include a hot air balloon carrying the cast of four in a basket lifting off from the stage of the Henry Street theatre?

I won’t give away the secret. But be prepared for a shoal of surprises from a small cast big on talent and a whole range of special effects.

They thunder and lightning during a storm at sea, jungle sounds as the actors are propelled cross stage on a miniature wooden elephant and a ride in a rickety train.

Many people have seen the classic 1956 film starring David Niven based on the Jules Verne story of Phileas Fogg’s attempt to win a wager by attempting to travel around the world in 80 days by any means possible.

Well this is loosely like it, but sticking closer to the original story, rather

than the film or the big money TV series.

You will have to use every ounce of imagination to believe the intrepid four are on a boat, train and road trip. But it works.

It’s highly entertaining and had the younger members, in particular, in Monday’s first night audience clamouring for more.

Partington’s version is the adaptation by Toby Hulse which was first performed by Bristol Old Vic in 2006.

It’s a kind of spoof on the book, in which Jules Verne is plucked from the audience and reluctantly allowed by the cast to act in the play.

It follows the story of Fogg, played by Mark McDonough, leaving the London Reform Club with his faithful servant Passepartout (Matthew Tattum), on their global adventure.

Joining them are Jules Verne, portrayed by Keith Livermore and Brandon Sharpe as Inspector Fix of Scotland Yard.

The plot calls for the four to multi-task and take on a variety of roles, which even include the unlikely and slightly alarming sight of the bearded Livermore becoming a black-wigged veiled Indian girl in flowing dress.

It’s something the cast take in their stride and accomplish in style, performing on a small stage with a minimal amount of scenery which rapidly transforms from a London street to an Atlantic sea crossing.

Director Andrew Wilson and his team have worked hard to come up with a production that has not been without its difficulties.

Thanking everyone involved in the play, he writes in his programme notes: “The rehearsal and set building period has not been without problems caused by Covid, but we have all pulled together to ensure the quality production that Partington audiences have come to expect.”

The six performance run continues until Saturday. Ticket details are on the Partington Players Theatre website.

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