Bingley Little Theatre’s junior section is travelling the world in 80 days.

Kaleidoscope Youth Drama Group presents the Jules Verne classic Around the World in Eighty Days, adapted and directed by Sally Edwards.

The show follows the adventures of Victorian gentleman Phileas Fogg and his French valet, Passepartout, who attempt to circumnavigate the globe on a bet from the gentlemen of the Reform Club.

Followed by the not-very-bright Inspector Fix of Scotland Yard, who has mistaken Fogg for a bank robber, they have global adventures and meet entertaining characters along the way. It turns into a race against time as the unflappable Mr Fogg and the excitable Passepartout try to make it back to London on time to win the wager, while making time for a little romance along the way.

Jules Vernes’ novel was written at a time of innovation in global travel and remains a popular read as a depiction of the British Empire from an outsider’s point of view.

Sally Edwards, who has taught drama at Kaleidoscope for several years and recently took over running it, says finding a suitable adaptation of Vernes’ novel posed a problem. “It was tentatively suggested that I write the adaptation and could then tailor it to the needs of Kaleidoscope.

“Adapting the novel into a script proved to be an exciting and enjoyable project, especially knowing that it would be a collaborative effort, with Katy Gaul composing original music.

“One of the difficulties in adapting the novel was that only one female character appears in the book.

“I have therefore changed the sex of some characters and added others.

“If anyone is wondering where the balloon is - it isn’t actually in the book.”

Around the World in Eighty Days runs at Bingley Arts Centre from today, Thursday, to Saturday. For tickets call (01274) 567983.