In Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days, Phileas Fogg was challenged to circumnavigate the world. The challenge for Damascus College has been to replicate different countries, modes of transport and more than 50 different characters in the school theatre as they stage Around the World in 80 Days as their annual school production.
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A cast of 17 students have been rehearsing three times a week for the past three months to bring the adventure tale to life.
Patrick Western, who plays Fogg, said it had been complex to bring the story to stage.
"It's really dynamic in this setting at Damascus because of how complex it actually is to build so many different settings around the world just on a stage with boxes and really basic set pieces," he said.
"Fogg faced a lot of challenge and it seemed impossible at many times throughout the journey, and he kept pushing through and in the end succeeded."
Damascus performing arts coordinator Andrew Seeary said the play was chosen to give the audience a good time watching a great novel, and despite the small cast there are more than 50 characters and "absolute costume pandemonium".
"It's 2 1/2 hours of going like the clappers, visiting every country and with that we had to design a set that turns in to five boats, four trains and an elephant among other things. The ingenuity of it is amazing."
He said the challenge of the show was to create a lot from very little and use the gifts of acting, inventive staging, and a healthy dose of imagination to tell a big story.
"It is a joyfully frenetic whirlwind of a show, full of daft invention, daring deeds and downright silliness," he said.
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"This year's production will feature a highly visual style that incorporates elements of classic farce, storytelling and crazy transformation. The sheer spirit of theatrical imagination will combine with the great industrial age to produce a fun show that promises to take an audience around the world in eighty days."
Around the World in 80 Days is at Damascus College's Valda Ward Auditorium from July 24 to 27 at 8pm, with a 2pm matinee on July 27.
Tickets available at www.damascus.vic.edu.au
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