The 39 Steps

Along with many in the audience I have enjoyed film versions of The 39 Steps, from Kenneth Moore in the 1959 remake of the1935 Hitchcock original to the Robert Powell 1978 version of this classic John Buchan 1915 novel, full of exciting scenes and great drama with all the intrigue and danger that is the hall mark of a spy thriller.

This fantastically enjoyable production of Patrick Barlow’s adaption was true to the original story but full of laugh out loud comedy, brilliantly brought to the Norbury stage by inspired direction, magnificent individual performances by a hugely talented cast of four, executed rather splendidly and underpinned with some extremely clever stage craft.

David Goode in his direction of a slick, humorous and highly entertaining production based on the original Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon script just added to its entertainment value with a number of superbly conceived scenes. Notably these included the search on the moors with police officers using flashlights with sticks as leads and large collars on imaginary dogs. Other in house props were the Tiger Moth search aircraft worn around the actor’s waists, the Scottish marching band depicted with long horizontal poles carrying puppet type kilted characters. Best of all a lectern –behind which stood the diminutive Mike Mathews (barely in view!!) - quickly transformed to a car as chairs were quickly assembled to make up the vehicle and a steering wheel thrown added the finishing touch, not forgetting a handheld windscreen wiper for that extra breadth of comedic fun.

Chris Sugars towering in stature and character as ‘Richard Hannay’, with pencil moustache and dressed in tweed, managed to carry all the charisma and charm needed for the part also keeping the plot ticking along nicely by updating the audience with all that is happening.

In the role of ‘Annabella Schmidt’ the German secret agent Liz Mc Cabe was totally believable as she was when switching characters to those of ‘Margaret’ the sweet Scottish crofter’s wife, Louise Jordan the evil professor’s spouse and ‘Pamela Edwards’ the hoity heroine. All played with respective clear accents of quality and tone.

Liz did not change roles as often as Ed Butler or Mike Matthews, however. These two fine actors played a plethora of parts throughout 100 minutes of superbly well delivered dialogue producing comical timing at its best. Ed Butler as the evil professor portrayed as ‘Blofeld’ complete with white cat completing the James Bond type concept. Mike Matthews as ‘Mr Memory Man’  as other characters  with flapping beards were as hilarious they were believable. Timing from them both was pacey in the Flying Scotsman scene when the two played a number of roles switching from bowler hatted passengers to police officer and train guard with differing whistles and a newspaper seller – just some of the 100 or so characters in this production.

Yes the acting, precision timing and slick – but happily not too slick – scenes were superb. The result would not have been so special without an innovative number of props, furniture and clever sets that created depth. Costumes of variety colour and sophistication were excellent. Some 130 or so sound effects and musical background were an absolute joy. Particularly on the bagpipes the haunting “Highland Cathedral”

September at the Norbury in recent years has come to be referred to as “Mystery Month” . For the audience this “mystery” delivered in every respect an amazing piece of hilarious entertainment on which congratulations to all involved.

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