JULES Verne’s epic Victorian tale has been cleverly brought to the Playhouse stage this week.

With the backdrop of a map and a set made up of suitcases, an eight-strong cast play a globe’s worth of characters as they take the audience with them in this energetic romp around the planet.

Eccentric Phileas Fogg, played by Andrew Pollard, lays a £20,000 bet with his fellow whist players in a London club that he will circumnavigate the world in only 80 days.

And so the unflappable Fogg and his loyal, but hapless valet Passepartout (Michael Hugo) set off on the journey of a lifetime with six trains, five boats, a sailing sledge, four fights, two dances, one storm, a circus act and an elephant.

With the help of Lis Evans’s simple set, maximising the potential in audience imagination, the hard-working cast create 33 rapid-fire scenes in an exciting, inventive production.

Everyone on stage is clearly enjoying themselves as they enlist audience assistance to help conjure even more laughs.

The motion of the boat is successfully created by the actors simply swaying from side to side, while fight scenes are skilfully acted out in an old silent movie style, using movement and sound effects.

It’s a family show, with plenty of fun and audience participation and my 10-year-old particularly enjoyed the humour from the loveable and hilarious Passepartout and the clever exchanging of money throughout the performance.

Praise to director Theresa Heskins and all of the cast and creative team for what I found to be a thrilling and innovative play.

  • Around the World in 80 Days continues at Salisbury Playhouse until Saturday. For tickets visit salisburyplayhouse.com