Review: The 39 Steps at Seattle Repertory Theatre
The recent Broadway hit The 39 Steps opened the Seattle Rep’s 2009-10 season with a jump start, bang of a runaway comedy with thrills and spills from beginning to end. The 39 Steps has been a long running hit on Broadway earning two Tony awards and rave reviews. La Jolla Playhouse launched the national tour and the production arrived at the Seattle Rep with the same cast.
The production is newly adapted by Patrick Barlow, best known in the UK for his hilarious two-man national Theatre of Brent which has become a legend in the British theatre, television and radio.
This latest version just adds to everything that has come before from the book to the different film versions. The actors, four of them, play over 100 characters are all wonderful starting with Claire Brownell, who comes directly from the Broadway production. She lights up the stage in her three different roles. Ted Deasy as Richard Hannay, carries the show as the thin pencil moustached, mis-understood handsome hero. Eric Hissom and Scott Parkinson round out the cast with their ability to change characters with just a change of a hat or apron, their timing and pacing adds to the overall hilarious interpretation and enjoyment of the play.
Like a lot of Hitchcock’s films, The 39 Steps has certain aspects that you can count on. We have Richard Hannay, whose help is requested by a beautiful woman in dire need. He’s your typical stiff-upper-lip , well met fellow and finds himself blamed unjustly of murder. To clear his name he sets out to find the answers to the “39 steps” and the real killer. His desire to find the answers with just a few hints leads him across England and Scotland on a wild trip. Meeting characters from secret agents to odd funny people such as the underwear salesmen to the older farmer and his much younger wife.
This is a fast paced, thrilling action comedy that really has it all, from the truly inventive action of the actors with the props at hand, the train ride and the crossing the moors just a few of the standout staging and acting. If you are a fan of Hitchock see how many references to his films you can catch in the play.
Kudos to Maria Aitken, the director and Peter Mckintosh for the set and costume design. Their direction and design was flawless. Considering the scores of costumes, the action, timing with the minimal set it flowed; Kind of like a good Hitchcock film.
The 39 Steps plays through October 24, 2009. For more info and tickets, visit www.seattlerep.org
– Ethel W.
