HITCHCOCK’S “THE 39 STEPS” DELIGHTS AUDIENCE
By Barbara Wilkinson
Perfectly characterized. . . Perfectly costumed. . . Perfectly timed. . . Perfectly hilarious!! This was the Winwood Production’s 21st Century farce from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 filmThe 39 Steps. Sponsored by the Headwaters Council for the Performing Arts(HCPA) on Friday, November 9, this enormously popular theatrical comedy beguiled the audience from the first moment. Under the clever direction of Kevin Bigger, the four characters kept the rapid pace throughout and performed 104 parts, seeming like a cast of thousands.
Dan Fenaughty, who plays the handsome hero Richard Hannay, shows his agility and precision in performing the farcical. As a “gentleman,” Hannay represents a whole tradition of gentlemanly but macho heroes. Not a word is spoken, but the audience knows exactly what is happening. Fenaughty keeps the swift pace and precision timing flowing with the other three members of the cast who play all the other characters with comicease The actions of the “good guys’” are controlled by an elaborate master strategy that the convoluted plot’s inept policemen cannotmatch. Indeed, the speedy costume changes morph the actors into portraying several roles simultaneously so that they seem to confuse themselves. They are exceedingly humorous, withmany of their funniest scenes taken from the Hitchcock movie.
One of the most important parts of theater performance is the art of “instant illusion-making,” and theseactors easily convey the play’s message through that artifice and lead the audience through a maze of imaginative interludes to carry it to its conclusion. Larissa Klinger plays not only the ill-fated Annabella, but also Pamela, an unwary train-traveler, and Margaret, a farmer’s daughter—all romantic-interests—withkaleidoscopic abilities and lots ofeffective built-in sex appeal. Nicholas Wilder and Tobias Shaw personify the other 100 characters, their rapid changes and physical antics are worth the price of admission. They extend their comical limits as far as possible when they transform themselves into other characters or reposition furniture into different landscapes. Although they sometimes show inflated exasperation, it is undoubtedly in the script. They certainly appear to be having a terrific time!
The audience isenjoying itself immensely.
Without doubt, “The 39 Steps” uses the fewest resources to the greatest effect. With itslimited cast and set, this production is an enjoyable ticket to escapism. The swift costume changes and the ability of the actors to play multiple characters at once bring constant laughter. No matter whether they take a plane, train or automobile, the audience feels compelled to hold on to its collective seats because the actors’ movements seem so real.
This was one of the most hilarious presentations that has been sponsored by the HCPA, and one that beautifully shows the talents of these fine performers. Congratulations once again for a captivating program.