“What are the 39 Steps?” is the key line on which the entire narrative pivots in Hitchcock’s 1935 adaptation (featuring the engaging Robert Donat) of John Buchan’s 1915 tale of daring-do, high-jinks and military secrets. Mr Memory, of whom the question is asked, happily reveals his answer before meeting a very unhappy end. (Ooops, plot spoiler. Though I think that only happens in that version.) It’s a story riddled with twists, turns and near misses making it ideal fodder for cinema where it’s evolved into no less than four incarnations plus innumerable TV versions and uncountable radio dramatisations. Clearly a hot title which has kept us intrigued for 90 years. I first saw Patrick Barlow’s version (which evasively credits Simon Corble & Nobby Dimon as “From an original concept by” – I wonder why they didn’t write the script?) years ago at the Criterion where it stayed in residency for nearly a decade. I remember it being uproariously funny but can remember little more. Comedy has changed much since those days and I wonder whether this once popular old warhorse would stand the test of time. Thanks to the benevolence of the Arts Council it began with a small £1000 grant. Clearly the investment has reaped a huge reward – nearly 30 years after it first appeared it is still being produced.
Which, of course, means it has a huge reputation to live up to which this version doesn’t quite manage. The initial production was so stylistically unique it was soon imitated to such a point when we go back to see where so many other production have taken their ideas we’re left with no more than a ravaged carcass. The play speaks to another audience and, by now we’ve seen all the tropes and notions before. But onward the cast bravely march regardless and try to the hold the piece together which for the most part they do. Eugene McCoy’s legs should get a special mention for their original physicality and endearing elasticity thankfully they’re coupled to an actor who has a grasp of the tone of the show. Understudy Jacob Daniels who took the lead role of Richard Hannay was endearing. Maddie Rice and Safeena Ladha donned many hats and wigs to provide the rest of the cast many of which proved entertaining. Despite being tonally askew in parts and the audience unsure whether this is a sketch, a pastiche or a parody it provided a few laughs here and there. Oh and look out for Alfred Hitchcock – he makes one of the noted cameo appearances.
(Plot spoiler to the plot spoiler – it doesn’t only happen in the film…)
Reviewer: Peter Kinnock
Reviewed: 4th June 2024
North West End UK Rating: