If you arrived at Tonbridge Castle on Wednesday evening and glanced at the tiny stage, you could be forgiven for wondering how on earth four actors and a handful of props could possibly recreate a globe-trotting adventure.
Within minutes, Alfresco Actors proved that imagination is all you really need.
Their production of Around the World in 80 Days whisked the audience from Suez to Bombay, Calcutta, San Francisco, New York, Liverpool and back to London, all through energetic performances, clever physical theatre, live music and an infectious sense of fun. Using little more than their bodies, voices, instruments and a few carefully chosen props, the cast painted vivid pictures of every destination on Phileas Fogg’s epic race against time.
The production was packed with laugh-out-loud moments. Audience participation, witty musical interludes and a sharp script kept smiles firmly fixed throughout the evening. Modern-day references landed particularly well, with one memorable joke pointing out that the word “Reform” carried a rather different meaning in the 1870s than it does today, drawing plenty of knowing laughs from the crowd.
The professionalism of the company was on full display when Tonbridge Castle’s alarm unexpectedly sounded midway through the performance. Rather than breaking character, the cast seamlessly incorporated the interruption into the action, quipping, “This is a noisy ship!” as they carried on regardless. It perfectly summed up the quick-thinking humour that made the evening such a joy.
Lucy Little, Tom Crabtree, Tali Nishihara Jones and Felix Gillingwater delivered outstanding performances, effortlessly switching between a host of colourful characters. Even more remarkable was the fact they had already performed Kaspar: Prince of Cats earlier the same day, making their boundless energy all the more impressive.
The weather also played its part, with clear skies making for a perfect summer evening. Audience members were able to bring blankets or camping chairs, settle in with a picnic during the interval and enjoy drinks throughout the performance. With no expensive food stalls or hidden extras, it made for an affordable and thoroughly relaxing night out.
If this performance is anything to go by, Tonbridge Castle’s outdoor theatre season is well worth making the most of while the glorious summer weather continues. Upcoming productions include Jeeves and Wooster in Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves by Alfresco Actors on 30 July, The Three Musketeers by Four Forty Theatre on 1 August, a Changeling Theatre production on 5 August, and Illyria’s production on 6 September. You can find a detailed guide to the outdoor theatre season in Tonbridge here.
If Around the World in 80 Days set the standard, audiences are in for a wonderful summer of theatre under the stars.
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