All aboard for an adventure of global proportions! Cast announced for brand new production of Around the World in 80 Days at Theatre by the Lake

Stefan Adegbola will take on the iconic role of Phileas Fog in a brand new production of Around the World in 80 Days, which opens 31 March at Theatre by the Lake.

Stefan is well known as a stage actor, with performances in shows such as Titus Andronicus at the RSC, The High Table at the Bush Theatre and Richard III with Headlong Theatre Company. Viewers of the small screen will see Stefan in the upcoming Channel 4 series Get Millie Black, and will also recognise him for his roles in McDonald and Dodds (ITV), Doctor Who (BBC) and Extinction (Sky).

Stefan Adegbola is joined by an exciting cast that also includes Miriam O’Brien (Theatr Clwyd, Storyhouse Theatre), as the trusty valet Passepartout, Dyfrig Morris (RSC, National Theatre Wales, Hull Truck Theatre) as Inspector Fix and Saba Shiraz (Nominated for The Stage Debut Awards for her performance in AN ADVENTURE for Bolton Octagon) as Mrs Aouda.

They are joined by Tricia Adele-Turner as Captain Speedy, Niall Ransome as Colonel Stamp Proctor, Nicholas Prasad as Mr Naidu and Purvi Parmar as Captain Blossom.

This new production of Around the World in 80 Days is produced by Theatre by the Lake and Hull Truck Theatre. It is directed by Hal Chambers, a prolific theatre craftsman whose work includes the Ruff Guide to Shakespeare at Bristol Old Vic, Jekyll & Hyde (Box Clever), Henry V (Barn Theatre) and Michael Morpurgo’s Shakespeare Tales. Hal is also an Associate Director with RABBLE Theatre in Reading and was previously Artistic Director of touring puppetry company, Tucked In. He led education projects and directed productions with young people for Shakespeare’s Globe Education for over 10 years.

The cast perform in sets and costume designed by award-winning designer Louie Whitemore, whose previous work includes Daughter-in-Law at the Arcola Theatre, which was nominated for an Offie for Best Costume Design.

Around the World in 80 Days is a timeless tale, in which the determined Phileas Foog and his trusty valet Passepartout race around the world with the single-minded Detective Fix of Scotland Yard in hot pursuit. The audience is taken on a thrilling journey to faraway lands; hopping from Italy to India, skipping ship in Hong Kong and jumping straight into dustbowl America.

Voyaging by boat, by train, by sledge and even by elephant, this is an epic whirling adventure of wonder, danger and romance! The exciting age of invention is brought to life in this playful theatrical extravaganza with evocative music, puppetry and circus.

Hal Chambers, Director, comments, “Around the World in 80 Days is a story I remember fondly from my youth. Now, making acquaintance with it once more, it has made me feel like I am 9 years old all over again. It is a heart-stopping tale, packed full of exploration and wild imagination. This continent-hopping, elephant-riding, clock-ticking tale has so many fun challenges for a creative team – it is a real thrill to stage it for our audiences.”

Full booking information can be found at www.theatrebythelake.com.