Clocks! after Jules Verne

A hilarious rendition of an unknown Jules Verne tale

London French Institute / Lion & Unicorn

Devised by Alex Kanefsky and David Furlong

Two performers with buckets on their heads on a stage with clocks and props in the background.

Alex and David created CLOCKS! for the creative residency of kids shows at the French Institute, as a hilarious 50 minutes rendition of an unknown Jules Verne tale. The chemistry of the duo and the quirky nature of their double-act led them to take on all of Jules Verne’s work and Around Jules Vernes in 80 minutes was born.

Jules Verne pioneered the science-fiction genre. Best known for novels such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), A Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before any of it was even possible. He is the third most translated author in the world.

With a steampunk pool of ridiculous props, a smoke machine and some costumes. Watch the challenge!  This fantastically funny show features all your favourite characters: Passe-Partout, Phileas Fogg, Captain Nemo, and of course all the incredible machines! In February, Exchange Theatre takes the young audience on a dazzling journey through all his major books.

Children seated on colorful cushions in a library watching performance involving smoke and sparks, with a scientist in a white lab coat and a person on a balcony behind a cloud of smoke.

Creative Team

Devised by Alex Kanefsky and David Furlong

Lighting design by Benedict Cooper

Video design by David Furlong

A man wearing a black cap and a high-visibility yellow vest stands in front of a black wall with three clocks, standing near a silver stepladder.
Two men performing in a stage play: one man dressed as a scientist holding a doll, another man with glasses dressed as a devil standing on a ladder with a microphone.
Two men onstage in a library with bookshelves, one wearing a lab coat and glasses, the other wearing a cap and vest, engaging in an experiment involving a fishing pole with a string attached, with various scientific equipment around them.