The 39 Steps

“The 39 Steps” is a comedy adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel of the same name by John Buchan. I was hoping to see this play on a visit to London last year but unfortunately I was unable to make the journey, so I was really looking forward to seeing this production and to say that I was not disappointed is an understatement as this latest presentation from Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (CADOS) directed by Sean Duxbury was again another outstanding production. The play follows Alfred Hitchcock's film version of John Buchan's story which tracks the exploits of Richard Hannay as he travels through England and Scotland while on the run from the police aiming to clear his name of an accusation of murder. Unfortunately he unwittingly becomes involved in a spy conspiracy. Richard Hannay has been portrayed on screen in the past by actors such as Robert Donat, Kenneth More, Robert Powell and Rupert Penry-Jones.  Hannay’s Character background tells us that he was born in Scotland and speaks fluent German, he was a mining engineer prospecting for copper and he made a small fortune in Bulawayo. He was in the Imperial Light Horse regiment for two years and served as an intelligence officer in the Boer war returning to England in 1914, just before The Thirty –Nine Steps story begins.

This play needs absolute teamwork with no character weak links for the plot to work and this is what the cast of four exceptional actors did working together and confidently relying on each other which resulted in a very successful outstanding production. The cast included Garth Maunders who performed excellently and was the personification of the charming pipe smoking ex-army officer Richard Hannay and Sarah Burrill who exceled at portraying three very different women which included a femme fatal, a shy Scottish landlady and a no nonsense young women who had the misfortune to end up handcuffed to Hannay, so was forced to join him on his adventure. Andrew Kidd and Matthew Routledge were superb as the two clowns playing a myriad of different characters of both male and female gender which included police men, villainous scientists and hotel proprietors. They used different accents and sometimes changed character very quickly on stage in front of the audience in a matter of seconds. All the actors had exceptional comic timing and the energy needed to play these parts must have been considerable. Diction from all was clear so dialogue could be easily followed and the many different accents were very good.

Scenery was excellent, though minimal and had multiple uses; it was easily moved about the stage and along with props was very important to the plot, well done Peter Delaney and all the stage crew. This play relies heavily on technology which has to be spot on with numerous cues for the production to work; this includes music, lighting effects, sound effects and animation.  Massive congratulations must go to Paul Carr for Tech design, Sammi Offord additional Tech and to Ian Robinson for his wonderful funny animation. Costumes by Sandra Dickinson suited the roles and enhanced the numerous characterisations well. There is certainly a great deal of very talented people at Chorley little Theatre. Congratulations to Sean Duxbury and all involved in this excellent funny production, I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening; I look forward to seeing you for your next production, thank you for inviting me.
 

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