By Kimberly Harper, WPRO Arts and Entertainment Contributor
Ocean State Theater Company’s “Around the World in 80 Days” is a stripped down re-telling of the classic Jules Verne story, with five actors portraying some 30-plus roles over the course of two acts and across several continents. With the use of little more than some suitcases and boxes and a railway station landing, they tell the story of Phileas Fogg (Russell Garrett), an apparently cold man who seems to have more money than sense when he bets some of his British buddies that he can make it around the world in 80 days.
This isn’t just a gentlemen’s bet – the winner will receive the sum of 20,000 pounds. Throughout his journey, Fogg spends close to that in an attempt to reach his goal, the implication being that losing on top of his expenditures will ruin him financially. He is hindered by a detective who is convinced Fogg is a wanted bank robber and s determined to arrest him. Unexpected railway interruptions, human sacrifice and mechanical failures make the 80-day timeline more difficult a goal than previously anticipated.
This fast moving stage adaptation directed by Mark Torres omits the iconic hot air balloon but you won’t miss it. The five actors are marvelously adept at creating just about anything from the few items on the stage – including a really impressive elephant. Though at times the acting veers into over-the-top territory, it fits well with the tone of the show and the actors are good at switching hats at a moment’s notice, notably David Groccia, who plays everything from the harried detective Fix to a train conductor. Jonathan Fisher also plays many varied roles throughout the show well. The two men make a train scene in Act 2 a true piece of laugh out loud comedy.
Actress Minita Gandhi may have fewer roles to play – her biggest are a newspaper boy and Aouda, the rescued Indian woman who falls in love with an oblivious Fogg – but she has strong stage presence even when the script does not give her characters much to do. Matt Jones mainly plays Fogg’s servant, a new hire who is dragged along for the race along the world at the last minute. At times a comedic foil to Fogg’s straight man, other times a millstone around his boss’ neck, Jones plays a likable character throughout. And Garrett as Fogg does a good job at bringing dimension to his role – by the end you genuinely like the man who at the top of the show was busy harshly dressing down an employee for a minor infraction.
The set is minimal but very effective. Railway stations become homes and ship decks. Boxes become elephants and trains, ships are conjured with the addition of a few ropes. Realism is clearly not the goal here, and it works well with a script that seems written to play for laughs.
“Around the World in 80 Days” is well crafted and a truly unique piece of theater in the Ocean State this fall. The material is suitable for all ages and seemed to hold the attention of the few children who were present at press night. Those who attend are required to use their imagination – and in turn are guaranteed a fun night at the theater.
“Around the World” runs through November 22 at Ocean State Theater Company in Warwick. For tickets, visit oceanstatetheater.org or call 401-921-6800.
