SOME books take on a life of their own that’s bigger than the author ever imagined and that’s true of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, a fast-moving adventure now synonymous with the image of a hot-air balloon.

Yet such a mode of transport is never employed in the original 1873 novel and that misconception is a running gag in Toby Hulse’s irreverent adaptation in its frequent referencing to travelling by balloon as we follow the exploits of Phileas Fogg and his manservant Passepartout.

Adopting a meta-theatrical approach, the production has Dan Parr as Verne attempting to offer advice on the staging. When his suggestions are ignored, he petitions the cast to be allowed to perform with the kind of audience participation beloved of pantomimes.

The creative use of props marking the progress of the journey and the physical style of the  performances throughout are reminiscent of silent films. The comedic miming of Darren Kuppan as Inspector Fix, who follows Fogg around the globe on the trail of a bank robber, is so impressively nimble that it’s almost a shame when he’s interrupted by dialogue.

Yet the high-energy pacing of the show, directed by Alexander Ferris, is a double-edged sword. Highly amusing in places, especially during a Buster Keaton-inspired train chase, the lack of respite risks attention fatigue.

That the cast, completed by Robert Pickavance’s garrulous Fogg and Joe Alessi’s Passepartout, don’t show corresponding physical fatigue is admirable.

There are all the elements of a good show here and with some editing it would make a wonderful production but, in its current form, it suffers from mild jet-lag.

Runs until April 28, then tours community venues in Leeds, details: leedsplayhouse.org.uk