One man, numerous toys (probably 80, but I lost count), some magic tricks, literal smoke and mirrors, and two cameras combined create a fascinating journey both onstage and in the script. Collage, montage, and narrative mashup produce delightful effects in Thaddeus Phillips’ ArounD the WorlD in 80 ToyS at Summerhall’s Anatomy Lecture Theatre, though it is a little unclear why the title has such odd capitalisation throughout.
The play combines the real-life story of Georges Méliès, ‘the father of cinema’, who created fantastical worlds of paper, toys, and film splicing, often innovating with a theatrical flair unknown to silent films at the time. According to the introductory credits in this show, Méliès produced over 500 films, but when the Great War broke out in 1914, many of his reels were requisitioned to make supplies for the war and, in protest, Méliès burned the rest, perhaps except for one of the most famous films of all time, A Trip to the Moon. Méliès turned to working in a toy shop, which is where ArounD the WorlD in 80 ToyS begins to fictionalise his life. Méliès receives a copy of Around the World in 80 Days from Jules Verne and is thus inspired to traverse the world in a manner similar to Phileas Fogg, the protagonist of Verne’s 1872 novel.
Over the next hour, the audience is treated to an imaginative play combining vintage toys as characters and locomotion, the digital version of film splicing, perspective tricks, and magic. As a combination of film and theatre, the show also comments on this period of history when film was new and theatre was popular culture, as the two art forms began separating and redefining themselves while simultaneously using each other’s techniques.
The show relies on childlike wonder, which mostly works well, though there are some places where the performer could slow down, spend more time creating the effect, ensure the toy is fully in camera frame, and allow the audience to linger on the idea. ArounD the WorlD in 80 ToyS is allegedly new this year, per the performer after the bow, so one presumes these kinks will be ironed out next season. Additionally, it was a little uncouth for the performer to complain about some previous professional reviews after the curtain call while encouraging the audience to leave reviews on the Fringe website.
There are only a few days left of Fringe, so if you want to grab a coffee and awaken your inner child, head to Summerhall’s Anatomy Lecture Theatre for ArounD the WorlD in 80 ToyS.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
