The dance theater piece tells the story of world traveler Nellie Bly, who went down in history as the “fastest woman of the 19th century”. Inspired by Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days, she (like its hero Phileas Fogg) set out at the end of 1889 to circumnavigate the world from New York in a new record time. Many did not believe her to be so successful, not least because she was a woman. In the end, Nelly Bly made it in 72 days - and was enthusiastically applauded by her compatriots on her return.
One of the first pop stars in the up-and-coming USA, who is still regarded as a pioneer of the emancipation movement. The aim of the production is, above all, to make the inner life of this self-confident woman visible through dance – torn between insecurity and determination, between the longing for security on the one hand and the urge for freedom on the other.
Nellie Bly traveled the world in 1889. In 1895, at the age of 31, she married 70-year-old millionaire Robert Seaman. When he died in 1904, Bly gave up writing and took over her husband's company. The idea of the staging starts from this point in time: Nellie Bly sees herself as responsible for running a company and again (as before on her journey) not only has to face the doubting men of her time, but also her own self-doubt. She flees to the attic of her house, lights a cigarette and accidentally finds the long-forgotten souvenir from her trip.
Out of melancholy she begins to tell and brings the journey back to life. Your memories are supported by a dancer who dances the meaning between the lines. The audience experiences Nellie Bly's feelings through the choreographies. For example, Bly tells how she met the author of the work Around the World in 80 Days Jules Verne on her trip. Although the French received them warmly, he did not believe in the success of their journey.