The 39 Steps

Whitby Amateur Dramatic Society  Review: The 39 Steps

Patrick Barlow’s stage adaptation of The 39 Steps takes John Buchan’s classic spy thriller and Hitchcock’s famous film and gleefully turns them on their head. What might have been a tense chase across moors and train carriages becomes a riot of quick-change comedy, slapstick, and theatrical invention.

The production thrived on its sheer audacity. With just four actors bringing more than 100 characters to life, it’s a masterclass in fast-paced ensemble work. The so-called “clowns” slip from policemen to innkeepers to secret agents with dizzying speed, often switching characters mid-sentence. Part of the joy is watching the mechanics of the performance ,the frantic wig swaps, the exaggerated accents, and the knowingly clumsy stagecraft  all played with such precision that chaos becomes art. In my opinion Alethea Estill and Kenzie Greenwood stole the show.

At the heart of it all is the stiff-upper-lipped hero Richard Hannay, played by Ivan Hall brought just the right blend of charm and parody. He is the straight man anchoring the whirlwind of absurdity around him, whether dangling from a train, leaping through windows, or sparring with a series of unfortunate romantic entanglements.

Suzie James brought comedy and the right amount of Sexy and sass to her characters moving from Timid Scottish wife to dominant German undercover spy.

The staging itself is delightfully bare-bones, relying on doors, ladders, suitcases, and the audience’s imagination. What might be a high-speed chase in a film becomes a few frantic footsteps, a flapping coat, and a blast of sound effects. Rather than limiting the experience, this minimalist approach highlights the creativity of live theatre – a reminder of how thrilling it can be to fill in the gaps with your imagination.

Most importantly, it’s funny. Genuinely funny. The knowing nods to Hitchcock, the deliberate copsing, the outrageous Scottish accents, and the sheer commitment of the cast ensure the laughter never drops. It’s a production that manages to both lampoon and celebrate the spy thriller genre, leaving audiences grinning long after the final bow.

Congratulations to all the cast for keeping up the exhausting pace and to the backstage crew for perfect lighting and sound, Front of house for such a warm welcome to not only myself but every audience member.

Verdict: The 39 Steps is a joyous, madcap celebration of theatre at its most inventive. Come for the mystery, stay for the hilarity.

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