ACTOR Matt Ganley might have thought he’d be in for a quiet time over Christmas given that the Lowry - his place of work for the next five weeks - is just 10 minutes from home in Swinton.

But that doesn’t take into account that he’s starring in a family treat, Around the World in 80 Days, in which he plays 27 different characters during the show - including an elephant!

“It certainly keeps me on my toes,” said Matt. “But then, it’s a true ensemble piece. The eight of us tackle 125 different roles throughout the whole thing so we all really share the burden.

“You certainly need a lot of energy because there is never a dull moment.”

Based on the classic Jules Verne novel about the adventures of explorer Phileas Fogg and his manservant Passepartout, the award-winning show is touring the UK for the first time.

“It’s a real feelgood show,” said Marr. “It’s got action, fights, romance, adventure. I think it is proving quite a memorable show for audiences.

“We’ve had children as young as five or six come and see it and they have loved it. There are different levels of humour in the show so that the adults will get something from it and the kids will find something different in it.

“There is a lot of physical comedy as well as one line jokes. It’s pretty quick fire stuff.”

Original cast members Andrew Pollard (Phileas Fogg) and Michael Hugo (Passepartout) have returned for the current tour. Matt says that it has been useful having actors with experience of the production but that the current company has been given a lot of freedom with the show.

“It has never felt like we were the new ones,” he said. “We were allowed to discover the show for ourselves, It has never been prescriptive with us being told to do it a particular way. There has been a lot of freedom for us newbies which has been really liberating.”

Matt has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of bringing the show to a family audience.

“Kids are the most perceptive audience,” he said. “They really don’t miss a trick, Every reaction they have is authentic and in the moment. But having said that I don’t think you should cater for a younger audience. The tone is already in the writing which means that the story itself is suitable for kids, All we have to do as actors is find the truth of it. That’s the same as every theatre job I have taken on.”

Having spent the last three months criss-crossing the country, Matt is delighted to be able to spend Christmas at home. “It is wonderful to get such a long run in one venue,” he said. “It’s great to be able to settle in and it gives a chance for word of mouth to spread. I have been fortunate to perform at all three spaces at the Lowry, and they are all wonderful.

“I think that this show will really take off over Christmas. It’s going to be great fun.”

n Around the World in 80 Days, the Lowry, Salford Quays, Tuesday, December 5 to Sunday, January 7. Details from 0843 208 6005 or thelowry.com