Knollwood School Will Go Around the World Without Leaving Fair Haven

Phileas Fog is a crazy inventor from England. Thought of as a quirky character, he is looked down upon by serious scientists who do not take him seriously. Fog ventures out on a dare, on a journey around the world in eighty days in order to prove to everyone who doubts him that they are wrong.  

Fog travels around the world in a couple months, but the audience members who attend the Knollwood School’s Spring Play will get an opportunity to see the globe in a much shorter amount of time. Knollwood’s Drama Club is performing a rendition of Around the World in 80 Days and Patch was allowed a sneak peak at their rehearsal.

Rob Talmage, head of the Drama Club created this play with his daughter, Jessica. Talmage and his daughter grew a strong liking to the film version and decided to transform this interest into a play for this year’s Drama Club. 

Fifth grader, Jessica Talmage wrote the script, according to her father, who both worked closely together to create this play.

Ironically, writer of the novel Around the World in 80 Days Jules Verne, celebrated his birthday on February 8, close to the date of the play’s performance. Talmage confirms that this was only a coincidence, a good coincidence.

Although a script exists, much of the work includes improvisation by the students. “There are many comedic interludes that students are working on, this becomes a sort of creative workshop in which the script is not the final word,” Talmage said.

The Drama Club frequently improvises lines and movements at rehearsal. Talmage loves the students’ creativity, “When you get an old crumpet like me laughing, you know its comedy.”

With much wiggle room for creativity, students become involved with the play, and have a good time with it, especially when speaking in British accents.

Shannon Bogardus, the Queen of England in the play, has perfected a British accent for her very prestigious role. Bogardus said that she was in the chorus for last years play, The Tale of Desperaux. “I enjoyed being in the chorus. I tried out for the lead role, but I realized I needed a part that was better for me,” Bogardus said.

This year, she is confident with the part she will play. “I am not very nervous for this play. I am used to being on the stage. I was a dancer since I was three years old.”

As Talmage explains, many students that participated in plays from the past come back to help. Amy Sehulster in particular, is a tenth grader who has been involved since the sixth grade. Sehulster acted in the Wizard of Oz, as well as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and is currently helping in this years play.

“I enjoy coming back to help. It is a lot of fun,” Sehulster said.

“What are we going to do without Amy when she goes away to college,” Talmage exclaims.

Around the World in 80 Days includes three songs named “Gonna Go ‘Round the Great Big World,” “With You All the Time,” and “To the Islands” which will be sung by the chorus. Talmage wrote each of these original songs. “They took me a long time to revise, and included a lot of rearranging,” Talmage said.

On the night of the performances, donations will be collected for the Ronald McDonald House. They are also collecting items such as canned goods, diapers and baby wipes.

Talmage has been collecting for this the Ronald McDonald House for the past five years and the organization has a special place in his heart. “This is really geared toward parents who have to spend the night at Monmouth Medical Center,” Talmage said. “Ironically I had to use this once when my daughter had asthma.”

Around the World in 80 Days will be performed at Knollwood School Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m. as well as Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m.