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Review
Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps
American Airlines Theatre
March 4, 2008
Morgan Wycks
mwycks@tdf.org
Turning Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps into a theatrical pastiche has its rewards and charms under Maria Aitken's inventive, wild and crazy direction. If you remember the movie (who remembers the book by John Buchan?), a morose Richard Hannay finds himself at the theatre one night watching a vaudeville act where the man who knows or can figure out the answers to any number of trivia questions is asked "what are the 39 steps?" Shots wring out and chaos ensues and before Mr. Hannay realizes it, he is caught up in international intrigue. People are murdered, spies pounce on the unsuspecting and Mr. Hannay ends up on the run following leads that shake him from his soigné, but dull, existence. He also discovers romance.
The concept here is to present a suspenseful adventure on a seemingly shoe-string budget. Hire one leading man, Charles Edwards as Richard Hannay, and three other actors (one female and two male) to assume a plethora of roles at any given time. Have the set and costume designer, Peter McKintosh, provide simple and utile pieces that can be easily moved around, altered and tossed with lightning speed and ensure that there is a masterful lighting designer, Kevin Adams, who can establish mood, atmosphere and place with the flick of a wizardly switch. Then let Ms. Aitken come in, establish ideas and crack the whip.
You should end up having a very good time, even if, after intermission, the lighter than air bouncing ball begins to deflate. The original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon adapted by Patrick Barlow can only support so much fol-de-rol before it consumes itself. I liken the production to a magician who performs all the disappearing and levitation acts before he pulls a rabbit out of his hat. One should start with a card trick and then work your way up. Part of the problem lies in the original material where the romance must develop late in the game and slow things down. Still, don't let this deter you from the purely theatrical fun.
The other three actors - Arnie Burton, Jennifer Ferrin and Cliff Saunders - take on their challenge with delicious results. However, Mr. Edwards (who ostensibly has an easier time of it) and Mr. Saunders make it all as natural as breathing whereas you can see Mr. Burton and Ms. Ferrin working hard which doesn't necessarily undermine the praise they deserve. It just means you can smell their sweat.
I'm not sure what Mr. Hitchcock would think of this interpretation but I do know that the only word from the sponsor was on the cover of the program.
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