THE BASICS: This spoofy take on the classic 1935 Hitchcock film has
been directed by David Lamb, and plays weekends at the Kavinoky Theatre
through December 6th. The show runs just over two hours, with a single
intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: 1935. Richard Hannay, a single, dashing thirty-something Canadian, makes a return visit to his old London haunts. In short order, he finds himself on the lam in the Scottish highlands, falsely accused of the murder of a glamorous new acquaintance, and working desperately to track down a ring of nefarious spies before valuable defense secrets are smuggled out of the country. Adapter Patrick Barlow has given us the Hitchcock script scene for scene, as it might have been remade by Mel Brooks in the 1970's (think "Blazing Saddles" and "High Anxiety"). The many characters in the story are impersonated by just four actors, with two doing the brunt of the shape-shifting work.
THE CAST: Chris Corporandy plays Hannay, his one and only role. He's the right type, yes, but plays the part so dourly that he generates no sympathy for poor Richard. Quite a problem, I'd say Jenn Stafford acquits herself nicely as the three women in Hannay's adventure--sweetly angling for laughs in a manner reminiscent of the late, great Madeline Kahn. Robert Rutland (an old Studio Arena favorite) and David Lundy play Everyone Else--constables, spies, rustics, old ladies, you name it--and are clearly having themselves a jolly old time. Not all of their many caricatures hit the mark, but plenty do, and these guys have more than enough talent to get you laughing frequently at their antics.
PRODUCTION VALUES: It's an uphill battle to make the stage version of THE 39 STEPS as fluid as the film, which really gallops along. Credit David Lamb with a solid effort here. There's a whole boatload of simple but witty stagecraft on display, the handiwork of David King. I'm sure that stage manager Norm Sham must have a dickens of a time keeping track of all those props! Sound veteran Tom Makar provides us not only with the original "Mister Memory" theme from the movie, but with some additional Hitchcockiana--like melodies from VERTIGO and SPELLBOUND. Production values are, all around, up to the usual Kavinoky standards.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Ultimately, it all depends on what you think of the original Hitchcock film. If you think of it as a stodgy old number in desperate need of some spoofing, this may be your show. If you believe, as I do, that THE 39 STEPS is one of Hitchcock's real masterpieces, with a wry sense of humor all its own, you're bound to be less favorably disposed. The Kavinoky has lavished considerable time, resources and talent on this silly knock-off--my question: Why?
Rating: Three Buffalo's (out of five)
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THUMBNAIL SKETCH: 1935. Richard Hannay, a single, dashing thirty-something Canadian, makes a return visit to his old London haunts. In short order, he finds himself on the lam in the Scottish highlands, falsely accused of the murder of a glamorous new acquaintance, and working desperately to track down a ring of nefarious spies before valuable defense secrets are smuggled out of the country. Adapter Patrick Barlow has given us the Hitchcock script scene for scene, as it might have been remade by Mel Brooks in the 1970's (think "Blazing Saddles" and "High Anxiety"). The many characters in the story are impersonated by just four actors, with two doing the brunt of the shape-shifting work.
THE CAST: Chris Corporandy plays Hannay, his one and only role. He's the right type, yes, but plays the part so dourly that he generates no sympathy for poor Richard. Quite a problem, I'd say Jenn Stafford acquits herself nicely as the three women in Hannay's adventure--sweetly angling for laughs in a manner reminiscent of the late, great Madeline Kahn. Robert Rutland (an old Studio Arena favorite) and David Lundy play Everyone Else--constables, spies, rustics, old ladies, you name it--and are clearly having themselves a jolly old time. Not all of their many caricatures hit the mark, but plenty do, and these guys have more than enough talent to get you laughing frequently at their antics.
PRODUCTION VALUES: It's an uphill battle to make the stage version of THE 39 STEPS as fluid as the film, which really gallops along. Credit David Lamb with a solid effort here. There's a whole boatload of simple but witty stagecraft on display, the handiwork of David King. I'm sure that stage manager Norm Sham must have a dickens of a time keeping track of all those props! Sound veteran Tom Makar provides us not only with the original "Mister Memory" theme from the movie, but with some additional Hitchcockiana--like melodies from VERTIGO and SPELLBOUND. Production values are, all around, up to the usual Kavinoky standards.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Ultimately, it all depends on what you think of the original Hitchcock film. If you think of it as a stodgy old number in desperate need of some spoofing, this may be your show. If you believe, as I do, that THE 39 STEPS is one of Hitchcock's real masterpieces, with a wry sense of humor all its own, you're bound to be less favorably disposed. The Kavinoky has lavished considerable time, resources and talent on this silly knock-off--my question: Why?
Rating: Three Buffalo's (out of five)
Sounds like an interesting play - thanks for the review!