The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps has been adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and is based on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 thriller. It's the story of espionage, a mysterious woman, murder, & something called the 39 steps. Director Brian Buck has a great cast for this comedy play. A lot of time has been spent working with the cast to get every bit of timing & comedy, spot on. The set is simple and very effective. I love the door with the actors just walking through and turning it round and walking 'out' into a new scene brilliant & very funny.

There are 5 actors taking on numerous roles, quick changes of characters and costumes kept everyone on their toes. Vic Milne takes on the role of Richard Hannay, who is an unlucky Englishman, who wants more from life but just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. He is great in the role, with his stiff upper lip and confusion as the story moves quickly along from one crazy situation to the next. Great facial expressions. Emma Davis is great in her roles, firstly as Annabella Schmidt a beautiful spy who is being followed and sits with Richard at the theatre, he takes her back to his home where she explains about the 39 Steps. Then as Pamela the glamorous woman who dosn't want anything to do with him but ends up being handcuffed to Richard. They both work very well together with some great comic timing. Richard Barnett takes on 3 roles all very different, he is very menacing as The Professor; as Mr McGarrigle, he was great with the Scottish accent being very warm and friendly. Also the compere in the music hall at the start of the play, he is very good in everything he does. Hannah Rodgers is great as Mrs McGarrigle; she has a great Scottish accent, her facial expressions are good which are just right, this is a great funny character she also plays many other roles. Gemma Wilks also plays several characters but most importantly the Memory Man at the theatre in the beginning. The Memory Man is a main character at the end having memorised the true nature of The 39 Steps.

This is a very funny play and everyone put everything they had into it. Richard Hannay has so many different situations to go through during the play, one comedy moment after another. The audience loved it. Well done to everyone involved. 

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