The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild are presenting the Patrick Barlow adaption of the novel The 39 Steps by John Buchan and the subsequent movie by Alfred Hitchcock. Patrick Barlow is an English actor, comedian and playwright, whose adaption was first presented on London’s West end in 2005.
Despite the Hitchcock movie being presented in 1935, the themes of espionage, good neighbours and love are still just as relevant. Director Mark Wickett has pared down the movie to a bare bones set, with a few actors playing multiple roles and minimal props and costumes. The effect is that the actors need to work harder to portray a convincing story, often swapping roles mid scene. The result is an entertaining, almost farcical adaption, which had the audience laughing throughout the play.
Thomas Midena is a standout as Richard Hannay, who takes Annabella (Imogen Deller-Evans), a spy on the run, into his home after she informs him that she knows of a plot to steal top-secret British military data. But his problems multiply when she is killed. Suddenly he finds himself on the run to both save himself and stop the spy ring.
Along the way, Hannay meets Margaret and Pamela, also played by Deller-Evans, whom he confides in and is invariably double crossed and sent on the run again. The comic relief is delivered by the clowns Emily Branford and Maxwell Whigham who deftly transform from train passengers to policemen to shady spy characters and much more. There are nods to Hitchcock in several setups, a classic one being the chase scene from North by Northwest. The stage is as simplistic as possible, with a few blocks, a picture frame and a clothes rack providing the skeleton from which the actors improvise. The radio announcer /Foley artist, played by Angela Short provides humorous backing sound effects that add an element of silliness, that complements the whole performance.
The design and wardrobe by Shelley Hampton and Emily Dalziel are perfect to invoke the period feel, with several quick changes by the clowns perfectly executed. Overall the behind-the-scenes crew did a sterling job to recreate the 30’s atmosphere, with plenty of slapstick humour to keep the energy levels up.
This adaption of The 39 Steps is a very entertaining way for the UATG to finish their 2024 season. It’s a story played for laughs that is perfectly executed (pardon the pun).
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended on 25th October
Photo credit: Nat Kelly
The 39 Steps plays at the Little Theatre in The Cloisters, University of Adelaide and runs until 3rd November.
