The 39 Steps

John Buchan’s book and Alfred Hitchcock’s film ‘The 39 Steps’ will never be the same after this whirlwind version by Patrick Barlow.

This must have been an extremely difficult play to put on with its numerous set changes and the timing involved to synchronise music and the sound effects with non-stop action. We also had shadow puppets, which included a crashing bi-plane (another nod to one of Hitchcock’s films?) and even an appearance of Mr Hitchcock himself in silhouette. Props that could double as train carriage seats one minute to the top of the train the next or a bed and four chairs that became car seats. Director Keith Neville and the hard working back stage crew made it all come together beautifully.

The play, whose plot follows closely that of the film, involves just four characters playing a vast array of multiple roles. Ashley Munson did a fine job as the one constant, Richard Hannay looking for adventure after his return to London. Ashley delivered his lines accented and clearly spoken, looking very much the part in his tweed suit. I enjoyed Elizabeth Portlock’s portrayal as Annabelle Schmidt, the spy, who gets murdered in Hannay’s flat, Margaret, the Scottish farmer’s wife, yearning for city life and Pamela, the English blonde who became unwittingly caught up in events. Then we come to the pair who played ‘Everyone Else’, underwear salesmen, policemen, spies, train guard, newspaper seller, a farmer, an hotel keeper and his wife, Mr. Memory etc. etc. I have nothing but admiration for Greg Shea, who took over this part with just a week’s notice (due to illness) and his partner Harry Wells. They were able to present themselves as ‘serious’ characters able to deliver comedy when needed. Greg has a very ‘mobile’ face and a different facial expression immediately changed his character. Their comic timing, quick changes and ability to immediately switch characters would have been difficult for any professional company with weeks of rehearsal but with the short time they had, they worked well together.

A lady sitting behind me definitely found the performance hilarious as she exploded with laughter frequently but this inventive production, a cross between slapstick and Monty Python, made great use of props, lighting and effects, creating unlikely scenes played at a frantic pace with four talented actors, sinister and hilarious, brilliantly and colourfully performed – riveting entertainment.

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