Around the world in 80 days next month

Harriet Mackie brings the brand new production of the Jules Verne classic to the city on October 2.

Former Dallas Road Primary and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar pupil Harriet is producer at Chipping Norton Theatre, which has teamed up with 
Oxfordshire Theatre Company for this national tour.

The daughter of Downton Abbey and Coronation Street actress Christine Mackie (who plays the Street’s new doctor in the ITV soap), Harriet was a regular visitor to The Dukes where her mum appeared in 15 productions.

Growing up in Lancaster, Harriet attended Drama Factory classes and, after leaving Reading University with a first class degree in theatre, worked in stage management and casting across the UK and in Washington and Vancouver before settling at Chipping Norton Theatre as producer.

In Around the World in 80 Days, three actors including 
Gareth Cassidy, last seen as Sydney the Swan and Rumplestiltskin in The Dukes outdoor production of Hansel & Gretel, portray a cast of thousands in a madcap adaptation bringing to life sea storms, police chases and even elephant rides.

Performed in The Round, this show brings the sounds, smells, even the tastes of a monumental circumnavigation and promises to have the audience crying with laughter.

There will be a post show talk with Harriet and the cast after the October 2 performance.

Tickets are £12/£10 concs (£1 per transaction fee when booking online). For more information and to book, ring the box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.