Around the World in 72 Days Review

Around the World in 72 Days Review

10th & 11th August 2025

Since the end of July, London has been taken over by thespians and thespian-adjacent people like you and I. While a very famous Fringe festival is taking place 381 miles north of London, it would be remiss of us to forget about the equally impressive Camden Fringe which is happening right in the heart of the capital. 

“It’s difficult to squeeze such a mammoth journey into a 60-minute play but they managed to do so”

I caught a glimpse of it at Barons Court Theatre, a 52-seat small theatre in the basement of The Curtains Up pub in West Kensington, when I went to watch Around the World in 72 Days.

On a warm Sunday in August, I sunk into the seat in the cool basement and allowed myself to be transported around the world in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes. 

From Hoboken to Brindisi, Hong Kong to Japan, the audience was taken through the highs and lows of Nellie’s journey via a convincing performance by Rebekah McLoughlin.

McLoughlin co-founded Crew of Patches Theatre Company with James Lawton who helped to tell Nellie’s story by playing the role of a newspaper editor, a tailor’s assistant, a Scotsman, a Welshman, her beloved brother Albert and lots of other people in between. 

The set was simple. The small square stage was lined with stacks of suitcases, a desk, a candle and a pen and paper; she was a “wo-wo journalist” after all. 

It’s difficult to squeeze such a mammoth journey into a 60-minute play but they managed to do so. It felt like a race against the clock to get to the end and as Nellie’s train pulled into New Jersey, the audience breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Maggie John

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