There’s an exciting mystery afoot in Caledonia State Park, and it has nothing to do with another sighting of Sasquatch as the Totem Pole Playhouse presents Patrick Barlow’s “The 39 Steps,” a madcap spy thriller inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense film.
More than a century ago, Scottish novelist John Buchan created the play’s hero, Richard Hannay. In his 1915 novel, “The Thirty-Nine Steps,” a Scotsman residing in London is wrongly accused of murder and suddenly finds himself embroiled in an international spy mystery.
Hitchcock loosely adapted the first of Buchan’s five Hannay novels into his classic 1935 suspense film of the same name. “The Thirty-Nine Steps” film has been credited with inspiring the “man-on-the run” genre in at least a half dozen subsequent Hitchcock films, as well as the Fugitive and the James Bond franchises.
In 1996, playwrights Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon reimagined Hitchcock’s film as a comedic whodunnit designed to be performed by a small cast.
Just short of a decade later, British actor/comedian Barlow rewrote their version, and his hilarious spoof won the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. It went on to receive more than a dozen theater award nominations and honors, including two Drama Desk Awards and two Tonys.
Calling to Hitchcock buffs and comedy fans of all ages, the Totem Pole Playhouse’s production of Barlow’s “The 39 Steps” — rife with beautiful women, murder, betrayal and suspense — hits every mark as four actors deftly portray more than 100 delightfully overblown characters.
Expertly directed here by Broadway veteran Clayton Phillips with technical direction by Austin Stiles, the lights rise on an intricate set — a theatrical playground full of technical bells and whistles — that took nearly two dozen local crew members, designers and technicians to bring to life.
Equity actors Damon Bonetti (as Hannay), Mallory Hawks (Annabella/Margaret/Pamela), J. B. McLendon (Clown #2) and Nicholas Wilder (Clown #1) preview the play’s constantly changing locales in a carefully choreographed vaudeville-style intro.
Then the music fades, and the story begins as Hannay settles into his armchair alone at his London flat with nothing but his scotch to keep him company. Discouraged that the newspapers are full of “elections, wars and rumors of war,” he decides to do something “pointless and trivial” to cheer himself up. He will attend the theater!
That evening, a mysterious woman (Hawks as Annabella) slips into the seat next to him as Clown #1 (Wilder) and Clown #2 (McLendon) perform a delightful revue show that introduces Mr. Memory and the Compere. A gunshot interrupts their performance, and Annabella, revealing that she is being chased by assassins, convinces Hannay to take her home with him.
When she’s murdered at his flat, Hannay finds himself not only blamed for the crime but racing against time to expose the spy ring that framed him and rescue stolen military secrets from the organization known as “The 39 Steps.”
As he speeds from London to Scotland and back again to a deadly finale, Hannay collides with as many outlandish characters as there are minutes in the play with an insane amount of costume and scene changes.
Phillips’ cast nimbly tackles every challenge with spot-on comic timing and stellar physical shtick.
Their supporting tech is also top-notch; expert scenic design by Jonathan Dahm Robertson, lighting by Producing Artistic Director Ryan B. Gibbs, costumes by Azaria Jade Rubio and sound by Kate Wecker mesh in lovely visual and audial harmony. A music sting whenever “The 39 Steps” is mentioned adds much to the melodrama, and even props take on splendid life (sometime literally).
Bonetti executes his extremely demanding lead role as Hannay brilliantly; he balances farce, suspense and charisma without skipping a beat.
As Annabella, Margaret and Pamela, Hawks nimbly portrays the distinct female characters drawn to Hannay to different degrees. In Act 1, she and Bonetti deliver a side-splitting rendition of Annabella’s death throes. Their chemistry is magnetic across the board, for instance when Pamela removes her stockings in a surprising sensual moment, or when Margaret wraps Hannay in her husband’s overcoat.
As Clown #1 and Clown #2, Wilder and McLendon play dozens of supporting roles with great energy and skill, changing characters and genders on a dime and ultimately delivering the frenetic pace and countless rapid-fire transitions that drive the production.
Most of their very funny onstage “business” woven together into Hannay’s story (like the two underwear salesmen on a train or the Scottish couple at an inn) could easily stand on its own.
And Hitchcock fans will appreciate the show’s frequent pokes and tongue-in-cheek references to some of his later suspense films such as “North by Northwest,” “Psycho” and “Strangers on a Train” (among others).
A montage of stage technique, exaggerated accents, comic timing and superb performances by all, the raucous “The 39 Steps” at Totem Pole Playhouse offers nonstop laughs and thrills to viewers of all ages for several more performances.
“The 39 Steps” continues through July 27 at The Totem Pole Playhouse, Caledonia State Park, 9555 Golf Course Rd, Fayetteville. Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. on July 23, 24, and 26, and at 2 p.m. on July, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27. All seats cost $55 excepting groups of 10 or more or juniors (age 5-15) and students (age 16-22). Call the box office, (717)-352-2154, ext. 1 for those discounts. For more information and to purchase general admission tickets online, visit https://totempoleplayhouse.org.
Other stage credits include Properties Manager Sam Little, Assistant Costume Designer Taylor Vanaman, Wig Designer Brandon T. Miller, Associate Lighting Designer Sam Sims, Production Stage Manager Luke Reed and Production Manager Kia Armstrong. Selected original music by Darren Server.
Photo courtesy of Totem Pole Playhouse
Spot on great review! I went to see the show with no expectations? And really enjoyed the production with the 4 actors creating all the various characters with amazing turnover of the scenes, costumes and theatrics. It was technically excellent, and great fun too! Another hit for Totem Pole.