The 39 Steps a Hilarious Night at the Theatre
Whether you like a good laugh or an intriguing mystery, University Players’ latest production is worth a look. The 39 Steps, Patrick Barlow’s hilarious adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, delivers both.
A tale of spies and spoofs, this classic thriller is told in the style of Monty Python. The story follows Richard Hannay, whose life of boredom in 1935 London suddenly turns upside down upon meeting Annabelle Schmidt, a beautiful woman claiming to be a spy. Once she is mysteriously murdered in his home, he becomes the target of a manhunt across the British Isles, being chased both by police and an organization of spies known as The 39 Steps. Upon running into characters both mysterious and zany, Hannay’s quest to clear his name morphs the revered spy thriller into a hilariously over-the-top parody.
Director Kelly Daniels says the show is “absolutely magical and delightful.” With the production set in 25 locations across 33 scenes, the show’s fast pace has scenes changing at the blink of an eye. It also presents a wonderful opportunity for the actors as 50 characters are played by a cast of four, with some being called upon to play multiple characters at once.
Daniels says anyone who wants a great time at the theatre should be sure to catch it, noting that it will be packed with big laughs with an escapist narrative to ensure a fun-filled experience.
“It’s all of the elements of theatre coming together to produce some really creative and imaginative storytelling,” Daniels said. “I think at this time of the year and the chaos of the world, we could all use a fabulous laugh.”
The 39 Steps opened yesterday and will run through December 3 at Essex Hall Theatre. Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 to $22 and can be purchased at www.UniversityPlayers.com or by calling 519-253-3000 ext. 2808.