‘The 39 Steps’

Published: 25 January, 2012

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The latest Lower School drama production was a hilarious fast-paced caper celebrating Alfred Hitchcock's famous 1935 film of 'The 39 Steps'.  It used all the dramatic conventions you would expect, including stereotypical characters in an action packed chase, epic landscapes such as the Scottish Highlands and an escape from a steam train on the Firth of Forth Bridge.

This blissfully funny show followed the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, (Josh Bean) complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course devastatingly beautiful women.

The play has recently been running in London's West and is admirable played by four characters, however, the play easily lent itself to the numerous roles and were played joyfully by our talented young cast.  Notable performances were by Josh Bean as Richard Hannay,courageously taking on the entire role, (on stage for 80 pages virtually consistently); Kim Seffer (the tragic German spy and femme fatale, Annabella Schmidt), Charity Dolan-Brifaut, (playing the unsuspecting female heroine who gets unavoidable embroiled and physically handcuffed to Hannay through most of the second act, then ultimately falls for his charms); Robin Willoughby who doubled up as the religious zealot Scottish crofter and the mesmerising 'Mr Memory'; the hilarious salesmen, James 'Pike' Freeman and Ollie Roberts who cleverly juggled a multitude of hats in the train scene, to the isolated and welcoming McGarrigles, (Saul Auty and Ben Harvey), in their tartan B&B in the remotest part of the Highlands.  A moment of great melodrama was created by Will Hambly as the play's 'baddie' the double agent Professor Jordan who quickly dissolves into his patrioticrant to convert and finally shoot the unsuspecting Hannay.

The numerous other roles were carried off with panache and slick comic timing including Tom Brooker, Jack Woodcock, Philip Habib, Tafara Mukonoweshuro, JoJo Cotton, Charlie Haynes and Harry Tippets with a hilariously comic performance by Saul Auty as the ancient and doddery Mr McQuarrie who brought the house down each night with his geriatric physical portrayal.

The resounding success of the show could not have been possible without the effective and committed attention to detail provided the backstage crew headed up Josh Eason as Stage Manager and ably supported by his crew: Robbie Lockyer, Laura Brown and Amber Hardy.  The technical aspects of the show were highly effective with the spot-on sound effects managed by Scott Holbein and the atmospheric lighting by Ralph Hayes. The technical crew were all trained, supervised, and overseen by the eagle eye of our Technical Director Harry Cobbold.

The total commitment from all involved provided an outstanding evening's entertainment for all who were lucky enough to attend.  A great and warm heartfelt 'Congratulations' to a totally 'Spiffing' show!