Review: Around the World in 72 Days, Baron’s Court Theatre 

The story of New York newspaper journalist Nellie Bly and her attempt to beat Phileas Fogg’s fictional 80-day circumnavigation of the globe is crying out to be made into a full-on theatre or film production. This bite-sized introduction by the Crew of Patches Theatre Company, part of the 2025 Camden Fringe Festival, is a good place to start. Having seen a musical interpretation of the same story in London earlier this year and also having read Nellie’s memoirs of the trip afterwards, I was keen to see what their version could offer.

We join Nellie (Rebekah McLoughlin) in New York in 1889, seeking a new challenge. Having come up with the idea herself to attempt a round-the-world trip to mirror that undertaken by Fogg, Jules Verne’s character from the decade before, Nellie is dismissed by her Editor (James Lawton). After some reflection and in an attempt to increase readership and sales of his publication, he then agrees to the trip, and the adventure begins.

McLoughlin is superb as Nellie, bringing her confident, sparky character to life using Bly’s own words and, rather cleverly, using her letters to her brother Albert to tell the story at various points. Engagement with the audience in the intimate Barons Court space is held throughout, almost as if she’s talking to us individually at times. The American drawl is strong and consistent, as is the essence of Nellie and her determination to succeed. We must remember that this is 1889, and we are reminded from the outset that Nellie is a formidable woman fighting to succeed in the male-dominated world of the time.

With only two cast members in the small confines of the stage, the use of recorded voices for additional characters is a nice touch. Several fellow travelling companions and those who helped Nellie along her way are played by Lawton. Kept busy throughout the hour-long show, with much back and forth, he does well to bring them to life with a change of accent (some more convincing than others) or a costume adjustment. McLoughlin really is the driving force of this production, though, as Nellie powerfully tells tales of the sometimes harrowing journey and the culture shocks and surprises that she encounters.

As a small fringe production, staging is basic, but a smattering of vintage suitcases about the place, costumes of the era and some lovely sea-faring sounds and music all add to the ambience. Good use of lighting, too, allows the audience to come along with Nellie as she arrives in a different country on yet another ship. The pace is fast yet fair, and given the time that we have and the amount of content to choose from, all critical elements of the story are covered.

As the story builds to a conclusion, with Nellie learning that she hasn’t been the only female journalist attempting the trip, we see her reflect on her travels and how much she has missed her family. As we meet her brother in the final scene, who says how proud he is of her, it’s hard not to share his sentiment for this very plucky traveller.

Created by Crew of Patches Theatre Company

Around The World in 72 Days has completed its performances.