During the pandemic (yes I know, we’re still talking about that), my anxiety kept me from leaving the house on most occasions, worrying that even with a mask, I’d get sick. I managed to get that solved, and now that COVID-19 is mostly out of the way, I’ve been trying to put myself out there. Aside from hanging out with friends and going to work, I also get to participate in what we write on our blog. On July 13, I went to Ottawa Little Theatre upon discovering one of its performances.
Around the World in 80 Days is a production based on Jules Vernes’s novel and written by Mark Brown, with Chris Ralph as the director (and my college professor during my Professional Writing days).
Around the World in 80 Days at Ottawa Little Theatre. Photo provided.
The production gives you Phileas Fogg and Passepartout (I see what you did there), a brave adventurer and his sidekick, as they strive to win a wild wager to make it around the globe in, you guessed it, 80 days. While our protagonist risks his life and fortune to complete his goal, a detective is right on his tail trying to stop him, convinced that Fogg is a bandit on the run. With two scoops of action and comedy, plus some romance sprinkled on top, this production has a bit of something for everyone and is bound to keep us all on the edge of our seats.
The cast of Around the World in 80 Days. Photo: Shireen Agharazi-Dormani
Where to begin with my experience? What first comes to mind is the cast, small quantity of members but high in acting quality. With every character showing their individuality, the actors don’t disappoint in adding charm to their roles while remaining in character.
Next is the stage and the lighting/sounds. While the lights weren’t a problem (unless you have epilepsy, they use the lights to depict lightning), the only issue I’d say they had was the music being a little too loud when switching scenes, as it would sometimes overpower the actors’ voices. (I wouldn’t know if this is an issue for every performance. Besides, they’d fix that minor detail right away, so nothing was ruined.)
More cast members of Around the World in 80 Days. Photo: Shireen Agharazi-Dormani
As for the stage, the cast makes great use of it, depicting various locations (because, you know, they’re travelling THE WORLD) seamlessly while taking advantage of the back wall, using a projector to make their travels more believable. Everyone moves around perfectly, with little to no kerfuffle as one character is doing their thing up front while another does the same on a higher level in the back. A simple set used perfectly.
This brings me to a strange element to bring up (though something I still noted): their use of props, most of which were boxes/chests. Aside from their role for what they are at face value (you know, boxes and chests), it’s how they were used to depict the setting that’s worth bringing up. The slight shift in a box’s position indicated a new location in the story, and when we combine this factor with the actors’ consistency, you find yourself there with them, whether you’re in Hong Kong or San Fransisco. It doesn’t matter if the actors themselves did the moving or someone backstage, the changes were seamless enough not to disrupt the story’s fluidity.
I think Ottawa Little Theatre is telling me something here… Photo: Shireen Agharazi-Dormani
I’d rather not spoil the story itself (for obvious reasons), so all I can say aside from my enjoyment is to grab yourself a ticket and kick back as you’re taken on a journey with a group of lovable adventurers (and whoever you decide to bring with you, too, I guess).
You can save yourself a seat by buying a ticket here. Students pay $14, adults pay $30, and seniors (aged 60+) pay $26. The play runs for about two hours, with an intermission halfway through. Performance starts at 7:30pm on Mondays-Saturdays and 2:30pm on Sundays.
