Around the World in Eighty Days @ Royal Exchange Theatre

Any cartoon-addicted child of the eighties will be familiar with Phileas Fogg, the wealthy Victorian about London town who wagers his £20,000 fortune to circumnavigate the globe in less than 80 days. As will anyone who has read the original Jules Verne novel, adapted for this stage production by Laura Eason. It's a show which promises (and delivers) 108 characters, 33 scenes, six boats, five trains, three fights and a circus.

A co-production between Manchester's Royal Exchange and Newcastle-under-Lyme's New Vic, Around the World in Eighty Days was first staged at the Staffordshire theatre in 2013. Director Theresa Heskins makes full use of the space, with the cast moving in and out of the doors or popping up unexpectedly in the upper tiers. Designer Lis Evans creates an entire world through magical use of props and costume. Suitcases double as railway carriages, and an overcoat is transformed into an elephant.

Andrew Pollard stiffens his upper lip throughout as Phileas Fogg, while Rebecca Grant is beguiling yet bold as travelling companion Aouda. Denis Herdman earns the pantomime boos as Fix, the Scotland Yard detective determined to stop Fogg in his tracks. Pushpinder Chani, Okorie Chukwu, Matthew Rixon and Susan Hingley complete the ensemble with energy and versatility.

Michael Hugo, however, is the biggest crowd-pleaser as French valet, Passepartout. Having escaped the circus, Passepartout is keen to settle into a quiet life of servitude. Hugo is charismatic, acrobatic and a hilarious clown, quick to improvise an impromptu song for audience member ‘Becky from Oldham.’

Around the World in Eighty Days is a lively, funny show ideal for families. Fast scene changes, knockabout slapstick and combat scenes punctuated with Street Fighter sound effects make this a visually appealing show for children (though with a running time of two hours plus interval it's probably suited to those slightly older), but with a movement, pacing and humour that will appeal to adults alike. A wonderful and charming tale of adventure.