“Nothing is impossible if one applies a certain amount of energy in the right direction”

The year is 1889 and 25 year old Nellie Bly is the toast of the New York journalism scene. She has already gone undercover in a mental institute; uncovered corrupt politicians; broken up a child-smuggling ring; and put herself in personal danger to catch a coachman assaulting young women, but ahead lies her greatest adventure yet.

Join Nellie as she travels around the world racing against Jules Verne’s famous hero, Phileas Fogg. In an adventure that captures the imagination of the world, she traverses continents, adopts a monkey, and even tries eating curry! Will she triumph against ocean storms, snowed-in trains, and men who think they know better, to prove that it is possible to make it around the world in under eighty days?

Around the World with Nellie Bly is a one-woman show that uses Bly’s own account to bring to life this incredible, little-known story of a pioneering woman. Using puppetry, audience interaction, and a host of colourful characters we aim to inspire young audiences with the story of this courageous and driven young woman; show them the importance of self-reliance and self-belief in the face of adversity; and prove that adventure stories aren’t just for boys.

The show is aimed at family audiences and children aged 6+ and runs at approximately 50 minutes.

Around the World with Nellie Bly, just like the lady herself, is ready to travel; the show does not have a fixed set and has no lighting requirements meaning it can be performed anywhere.

---

Nellie Bly: Katie Overstall
Additional voices:
Joshua Ashley, Carl Blades, Andrew Gourlay, Amy Watkins

Writer: Katie Overstall
Director: Nell Thomas
Composter & Sound Design: Julian Starr
Original Sound Design: Joe Hewitt
Costume Designer and Maker: Hannah Hodge 
Puppet Maker: Shaun Lati
Dialect Coach: Holly Renaut
Dramaturg: Joanna Matthews
Producer: Nell Thomas

With thanks to
BW Studios London, Emma Bentley, Neil Gordon, The Hewitt Family, Richard and Lesley Thomas,
Isabella Van Braeckel, Jamie Mansbridge, Matthew Jameson, Adam Hemming, and all at The Space.

Around the World with Nellie Bly
is supported by The Space and BW Studios London