The 39 Steps (play)
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| The 39 Steps | |
 Original Poster |
|
| Written by | Patrick Barlow |
|---|---|
| Characters | Richard Hanney, Woman, Man 1, Man 2 |
| Date of premiere | 17 June 2005 (West Yorkshire) |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy/Parody |
| Setting | 1930s England/Scotland |
| Official site | |
| IBDB profile | |
The 39 Steps is a play adapted from the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock. Patrick Barlow wrote the adaptation, based on the original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon of a two-actor version of the play. Barlow had originally intended to portray the character of Richard Hannay, but focused solely on rewriting the original version.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Production History
The first version of the play, with a cast of four actors, premiered in June 2005 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse,[2] [3] directed by Fiona Buffini. [4] The featured actors were Robert Whitelock, Lisa Jackson, Simon Gregor and Mark Hadfield.[5] Maria Aitken directed the revised production in its London premiere at the Tricycle Theatre (London)[6], which opened on 10 August 2006 titled John Buchan’s The 39 Steps.[7] The cast for the London premiere comprised Rupert Degas, Charles Edwards, Simon Gregor and Catherine McCormack. The production transferred to the Criterion Theatre in London's West End in September 2006.[8]
[edit] USA Premiere
The play had its U.S. premiere at the Huntington Theatre (Boston) on September 19, 2007.[1] [9] Titled Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, it opened in New York City on Broadway in a Roundabout Theatre production at the American Airlines Theatre, with previews beginning 4 January 2008 and the official first night on 15 January 2008.[7] The initial run concluded on 29 March 2008, and transferred to the Cort Theatre as of April 29, 2008. Aitken also directed the USA productions, and Edwards transferred to the USA productions as Richard Hannay, the only actor from the UK cast to do so. The other actors in the premiere US productions are Jennifer Ferrin, Arnie Burton and Cliff Saunders.
[edit] Awards
The play won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 2007 and the What's On Stage Award for Best Comedy 2007.
The 2008 Roundabout Broadway production won the 2008 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and Outstanding Lighting Design (Kevin Adams). It received Tony Award nominations as Best Play, Best Direction of a Play (Maria Aitken), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Peter McKintosh), Best Costume Design of a Play (Peter McKintosh), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Kevin Adams), and Best Sound Design of a Play (mic Pool).
[edit] Film References & Production Notes
The play shares the plot and characters with the film. However, the play is a more comic treatment of the story, in the style of Monty Python and Barlow's own National Theatre of Brent,[10] compared to the original and more serious film. The play incorporates references and use of music excerpts from other Hitchcock films. As well, the cast of 4 actors portrays between 100 and 150 roles, including actors doubling parts within the same scene.[1] [4] [7] The part of Richard Hannay is the only one where the actor does not double in another role in the play.
[edit] Roles
| Role | World Premiere Cast, 17 June 2005 Leeds, West Yorkshire Playhouse |
London Premiere Cast, 10 August 2006 London, Tricycle Theatre |
USA Premiere Cast, 19 September 2007 Boston, Huntington Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Hannay | Robert Whitelock | Charles Edwards | Charles Edwards |
| Annabella Schmidt / Pamela / Margaret | Lisa Jackson | Catherine McCormack | Jennifer Ferrin |
| Clown / Man #1 | Simon Gregor | Simon Gregor | Cliff Saunders |
| Clown / Man #2 | Mark Hadfield | Rupert Degas | Arnie Burton |
[edit] Productions
- 2005, Leeds - West Yorkshire Playhouse
- 2006, London - Tricycle Theatre
- 2006, London West End - Criterion Theatre
- 2007, Boston - Huntington Theatre
- 2008, Windsor - Windsor Theatre
- 2008, New York City, Broadway - American Airlines Theatre, Cort Theatre
- 2008, Melbourne - The Playhouse Theatre
- 2008, Aachen Grenzlandttheater, first performance in german
- 2008, Tel Aviv Habima Theatre, In Hebrew
[edit] Current West End Cast
As of April 2008, the London West End cast is as follows:
- Martyn Ellis - Man
- Josefina Gabrielle - Annabella Schmidt / Pamela / Margaret
- Simon Gregor - Man
- Jo Stone-Fewings - Richard Hannay
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Joel Brown. "4 actors, 150 roles add up to 39 Steps", Boston Globe, 16 September 2007. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
- ^ Kate Bassett. "The 39 Steps, West Yorkshire, Playhouse, Leeds", The Independent, 3 July 2005. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
- ^ Sam Marlowe. "The 39 Steps", The Times, 18 August 2006. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ a b Jasper Rees. "The 39 Steps from Leeds to Broadway", Telegraph, 18 August 2007. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Lynne Walker. "The 39 Steps, West Yorkshire, Playhouse, Leeds", The Independent, 11 July 2005. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
- ^ Dominic Cavendish. "Irreverent romp down the nostalgia track", Telegraph, 18 August 2006. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ a b c Ben Brantley. "Spies, Blonde and a Guy Go North by Northwest", The New York Times, 16 January 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Brian Logan. "The 39 Steps (Criterion, London)", The Guardian, 23 September 2006. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Louise Kennedy. "Hitch a ride", Boston Globe, 21 September 2007. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
- ^ Paul Taylor. "The 39 Steps, Tricycle Theatre, Kilburn, London", The Independent, 15 August 2006. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
