TheatreSquared Ends Run With a Magical Moment

TheatreSquared

TheatreSquared ended its run of Around the World in 80 Days with an extraordinary moment. To me, theatre is an incredibly magical place where anything is possible. I’ve been working in theatre since I was 19-years old and the theatre still surprises and excites me.

Every now and then there’s a moment in theatre that defies explanation. If I were to write those moments into a script no one would believe they happened because they’re too freakish.

Years ago I was watching a production of Henry the V in Central Park in New York City. It started raining about two thirds of the way through the show. Everyone was soaked. But here’s the remarkable part. After the battle at Agincourt there’s this dialogue –

KING HENRY V
I tell thee truly, herald,
I know not if the day be ours or no;
For yet a many of your horsemen peer
And gallop o’er the field.

MONTJOY
The day is yours.

KING HENRY V
Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!

Henry looked up at the sky as he said that last line. And the rain abruptly stopped. God shone down on Henry and England. It was extraordinary. It was like a theatre miracle. I’ve never forgotten that moment.

The Reform Club, 8:55 on December 21

In Around the World in 80 Days, Fogg must return to the Reform Club by 8:55 on December 21 in order to win the bet that he could go around in the world in said 80 days. It comes down to the very last second (spoiler alert) before he walks in and wins the bet.

TheatreSquared ended its run (journey, if you will) of Around the World in 80 Days on December 21, the same day Fogg ended his journey. Weird and cool, huh?

It gets better.

Not only did TheatreSquared end its run on December 21, but Fogg entered the Reform Club at precisely 8:55 pm. The exact same time Fogg in the book enters the Reform Club.

I think that is astounding. In the 13 years the show has been running that has never ever happened. And I highly doubt it will ever happen again. The odds are just too astronomical. I hear that the actors were giddy beyond belief. I don’t know if the audience was aware of life imitating art. I hope they were aware of it.

Simply magical.