Around The World in 80 Toys
Project to bring 'Around the World in 80 Toys' to Summerhall at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Around the World in 80 Toys
After a accliamed run in Philadelphia, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 TOYS selected to be presented at Summerhall during the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
WHAT
“Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” is a theatrical & cinematic adventure inspired by classic movies, magic, micro-cinema filmmaker Georges Méliès. Theatrical wizard Thaddeus Phillips & 80 eclectic toys star in this hilarious, haunting and touching homage to the movies.
“Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” has been created by Phillips and Colombian director Tatiana Mallarino in collaboration with magician Steve Cuiffo, as a burst of light and energy in these crazy times, is a defiant artistic act against AI and the divisions being forced upon us - and celebrates the world as a magical space in which we find ourselves.
THE OPPORTUNITY
“Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” has been given an extraordinary opportunity to be presented at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at one of it’s most important and respected venues: at the invitation of Summerhall Arts.
Summerhall is a highly competitive curated venue located in a former vetinerarian school in Edinburgh. Over the past 10 years it has become the top venue for new experimental, physical and puppet based theater.
Presenting “Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” at the Edinburgh Festival and at Summerhall is an incredible showcase for “Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS”, allowing it to be seen by audiences and presenters from around the world - and will give us the opportunity to launch the show globally.
The challenge, however, in bringing “Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is raising the funds to make this opportunity happen. This campaign is to fund specifically:
“Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” is a theatrical & cinematic adventure inspired by classic movies, magic, micro-cinema filmmaker Georges Méliès. Theatrical wizard Thaddeus Phillips & 80 eclectic toys star in this hilarious, haunting and touching homage to the movies.
“Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” has been created by Phillips and Colombian director Tatiana Mallarino in collaboration with magician Steve Cuiffo, as a burst of light and energy in these crazy times, is a defiant artistic act against AI and the divisions being forced upon us - and celebrates the world as a magical space in which we find ourselves.
THE OPPORTUNITY
“Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” has been given an extraordinary opportunity to be presented at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at one of it’s most important and respected venues: at the invitation of Summerhall Arts.
Summerhall is a highly competitive curated venue located in a former vetinerarian school in Edinburgh. Over the past 10 years it has become the top venue for new experimental, physical and puppet based theater.
Presenting “Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” at the Edinburgh Festival and at Summerhall is an incredible showcase for “Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS”, allowing it to be seen by audiences and presenters from around the world - and will give us the opportunity to launch the show globally.
The challenge, however, in bringing “Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is raising the funds to make this opportunity happen. This campaign is to fund specifically:
- Venue: $4,750
- Registration Fees: $441
- Housing for Company: $6,350
- Travel for Company: $4200
- Marketing & PR: $800
- Production expenses: $565
All donations are fully tax deductible through our Fiscal Sponsor, Fractured Atlas.
WHO
The Team:
Creator/Designer/Director: Thaddeus Phillips
Creator/Director: Tatiana Mallarino
Magic: Steve Cuiffo
Sound: Ian Vesepermann
MORE DETAILS ON THE SHOW
“Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS” is inspired by the true story of Georges Méliès, the father of cinema and special effects. When the camera was invented, Méliès was the first to see its potential, creating and directing hundreds of groundbreaking films in the early 20th century. However, by the 1920s, he was living in relative obscurity, working in a small toy shop in the Montparnasse train station in Paris.
The performance opens with Méliès in that toy shop, in the Montparnasse train station in Paris, with 80 toys and a copy of Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days." The eclectic collection of objects from the small shop becomes the protagonist of a magical story told through a movie screen and original staging, creating a unique fusion of film and theater. “Around the WorlD in 80 ToyS”combines magic, miniatures, toys, puppets, and ingenious special effects to create a unique theatrical event.
‘A ground breaking fantasy’ – WHYY
‘Layered with whimsy & charm’ – Broad Street Review
‘A dissing, toy sized-world of cinematic imagination’ – Onstage Colorado
‘A wild theatrical adventure’ -Broadway World
Rewards
Wind Up Key
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
In the end, it is the wind up key that makes the toy work, the simplest, non-mechanical part. All donations at this level will be listed on the 80toys.com website as 'Wind Up Key' supporters.
0 claimed
Tin Molder
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $5.00 is tax-deductible.
Classic tin toys were first printed in flat sheets, then cut and molded around lead molds.
Each 'Tin Molder' contributor will receive a '80 Toys' fridge magnet in the mail & will be listed in on the '80toys.com' website as such.
Each 'Tin Molder' contributor will receive a '80 Toys' fridge magnet in the mail & will be listed in on the '80toys.com' website as such.
1 / 150 claimed
Rocketeer
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $25.00 is tax-deductible.
Georges Méliès first film, 'Journey to the Moon' featured a rocket. Colombian artist, Rafael Phillips Mallarino, has crafted a 3D printed art toy for this campaign. 'Rocketeer's' receive a numbered toy & certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.
0 / 100 claimed
Producer
Donate $2,500.00 or more
Amount over $10.00 is tax-deductible.
Become co-producers of 'ArounD the WorlD in 80 ToyS' for the life of the production, receiving billing online & in print at festivals and theaters the world over. In addition, you will receive a art toy 'Rocket' in the mail.
0 / 7 claimed