The 39 Steps - An Alternative Version

The classic Alfred Hitchcock film derived from John Buchan’s classic spy thriller has been given a what can only be described as a complete overhaul by Patrick Barlow in this amusing adaptation of The 39 Steps. The story tells the tale of an English gentleman, Richard Hannay, whose mundane life dramatically changes when by chance, he meets a foreign lady, Annabella Schmidt, who unfortunately for her, gets murdered whilst in his flat. Hannay, accused of her murder, is then pursued the length and breadth of the country all the while endeavouring to avoid the police, spies, double agents and of course attractive women.

But this particular telling of the tale is somewhat different in that the cast number a mere four actors but that between them they play over hundred parts, some simultaneously! The potential for chaos and mishap is high.

Tom Byrne as Hannay is the only character to play himself. Safeena Ladha takes the parts of three women, Pamela, Annabella and Margaret, whilst the other two actors, named as Clown 1 and Clown 2 (Eugene McCoy and Maddie Rice) in the programme make up the remainder of the hundred or so characters. They also have the responsibility of moving various props around and generally assisting, along with the stage hands, of changing the scenery. Described as clowns, as you may expect, they were the duo who raised all the audience laughter throughout the performance.

Some of the scenes were really very cleverly staged especially so the scene involving a steam train journey to the highlands of Scotland and the subsequent shenanigans on the Forth Road bridge. Other notable scenes include a bi-plane chase and crash, a trudge across a dark, boggy moor in the highlands, an escape through a hand held window frame and the handcuffed pair’s attempts to get through a traditional farm gate. The choreography and comic timing was excellent throughout.

The production is very clever and the cast work hard to deliver, what must be acknowledged, is a well written spoof but somehow, for me, it lacked a certain spark and I sadly found myself glancing at my watch every now and again. Having said that, I was probably in the minority as those around me appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The 39 Steps is on at the Sheffield Lyceum Until 4th May