Victoria Playhouse Petrolia 39 steps in petrolia from june 8 to 26
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The Tony-Award winning comedy sensation that wowed them on the West End, and still keeps Broadway a buzz, is ready to take Petrolia by storm with gales of laughter and whirlwind funny business. From June 8 to June 26, 39 Steps, Patrick Barlow’s brilliant comedy adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s famous thriller of the same name, will be onstage at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia and the word on the street is, this is one show not to miss. Based on John Buchanan’s classic novel, 39 Steps, Hitchcock’s 1935 film version is still one of the enduring classics of the thriller genre that Hitchcock was so famous for. 39 Steps onstage, brings a new twist to a much beloved film, and the result is a very clever, extremely imaginative, and hugely entertaining piece of live theatre. The story is a classic tale of one man’s flight from wrongful accusation, his pursuit by the law, one exciting adventure after another, and, of course, a little romance to top things off. It all begins one night at the theatre, when our hero, Richard Hannay, is attending a demonstration of the remarkable powers of Mr. Memory. A fight breaks out, shots are fired, and in the ensuing panic, Hannay finds himself holding a frightened Annabella Schmitt. He takes her back to his flat where she tells him she is a spy being chased by assassins out to kill her. She has uncovered a plot to steal British military secrets by an espionage agency called “the 39 Steps.” The next morning, Hannay awakes to find Annabella murdered, himself the suspect and police hot on his trail. “This stage play, 39 Steps, is an affectionate and terribly funny spoof of the classic murder/thriller film genre that Alfred
Hitchcock was the master of,” says Director Robert More. “It combines clever and ingenious staging, along with a multitude of colourful characters, non-stop action, and one hilarious moment after another. Of all the shows I’ve directed in the last 10 years, 39 Steps has been the most fun by far. It is a total delight, joyous, intriguing, and full of surprises. I can honestly say, without any hesitation whatsoever, that this play is the most inventive piece of theatre to come to VPP ever.” Starring in 39 Steps are playhouse veterans (Too Many Cooks, Confessions of a Dirty Blonde) Jonathan Ellul and (Dads II, Make Me A Match) David Rosser along with newcomers Cara Hunter and Mark Weatherley. “The cast for 39 Steps is magnificent,” says More. “They are all brilliant comic and character actors and the work they do onstage is stunning. With this cast, and this script, I know we’re going to have a hit on our hands.” The creative team for 39 Steps includes: Robert More, Director; Eric Bunnell, Set Designer; Wendy Greenwood, Lighting Designer; Julie McGill, Costume Designer; Thomas Schweitzer, Stage Manager; Scott Spidell, Assistant Stage Manager; and Bethany Redich and Keely Welsh as Apprentice Assistant Stage Managers.