The 39 Steps

Ferndown Drama 

The Barrington Arts Centre Ferndown 

12th April 

Directed by Karen Ward

The 39 Steps was adapted for stage by Patrick Barlow - From the Novel by John Buchan - & from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock. The play revolves around Richard Hannay an ordinary man who meets Annabella Schmidt, he takes her home and she is murdered by a strange organisation called the 39 Steps. What follows is a whirlwind manhunt to find the killer and for Richard to prove his innocence.

Director, Karen Ward has a great set of actors for this play. Everyone in the cast has worked hard on their character and some play more than one. The set is simple and very effective and each scene moves on to the next very quickly, moving the story at pace. Lighting and sound are also good.

Each scene has cleverly been thought out with great skill and timing. The lamppost and looking out of the window at the two men below was so funny, and set the scene up for the audience to know this was going to be a fun night. Another moment was Richard going though the window frame this was so clever and very funny.

Jeremy is excellent in the role of Richard, his facel expressions and comic timing are just right. Dawn, playing the spy Annabella Schmidt with a great accent, as great, I loved the way she died across the chair and Jeremy had to get out from underneath her. 

Chloe plays the role of Pamela, she too is excellent in the roll, she is not sure of Richard to start with and gets draged along in the story, but ends up romanticly with Richard at the end of the play.

I liked the scene with Mark as the compere and Gordon as Mr Memory. 

Scott & Gareth had good timing with a great train scene taking on several different parts one after the other.

Each character had their time to shine with great lines. Too many to mention. I also enjoyed how the auditorium was used during the chase scenes.

Thank you all for a great night's entertainment. Well done everyone. 

Marie Coltman Noda Rep 

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