The Stage December 5, 2002

"An enthusiastic Sunday night audience at the Brockenhurst Village Hall discovered it really is possible to see the world in just two hours. Proteus Theatre Company is currently touring southern England with this feat of entertainment and has again come up trumps with an exceptional quartet. In this case, Julian Eardley, Andrea Sadler, Nisha Dassyne and Tim Machin."

"Within minutes they transform themselves into a multitude of characters, ranging from Phileas Fogg to a princess, Hong Kong boatman, judge, detective, American gunman, elephant and Indian dancer. They skilfully act out many roles, sing solos, harmonise and play music to introduce each country."

"Improvisation is another important factor in these do-it-yourself productions and there are many innovative moments including the transformation of a mop head and clothes horse, to illustrate vital parts of the story."

"Particularly in the second half, there are chances for audience participation which are accepted with excitement. There are original songs about the perfect Englishman and a great duet between Sadler and Machin called A Little Preparation."

"A wonderful two hours of pure escapism, adapted by Deborah Shaw for Jules Verne's classic story, that will delight audiences until the end of January."

John Hannam

"This particular performance in Sherborne St John came at about halfway [through the tour], and proved that the four-hander has united nicely, while still maintaining the controlled, feel-good chaos that seems to be a trademark of every proteus production."

"Around the World in 80 Days deviates slightly from the book in that the travel is really a tale-within-a-tale, the larger plot being the disappearance of highly-skilled fleas Midge and Madge from Barnet's Flea Circus."

"Stuck with a dissatisfied audience (us, in theory), the owners, their servant and a prominent heckler adopt as their mantra "The show must go on" and carry on accordingly."

"They seem to say: "You can't take this seriously, because we certainly don't". It makes for good, clean fun all around - clearly a family-orientated performance through and through."

"Tim Machin was especially strong as the explorer and trivia fanatic Phileas Fogg; Andrea Sadler bounced nicely between Fogg's right-hand man Passepartout and Mrs Lily Barnet. Julian Eardley and Nisha Dassyne also gave solid performances."

"There was a mass of highlights, such as the sock puppet bailiff, the elephant ride and the six armed dancer. And for those of us who are disappointed by the shrine to greed/spacecraft landing strip in the middle of Basingstoke (aka Festival Place), keep an ear out for some of the amusing incidental digs."

Eric J Iannelli

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