THE 39 STEPS As If Theater Company October 17 - November 3, 2024 Review
THE 39 STEPS
Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon
Directed by Chris Shea
As If Theatre Company
Kenmore Community Club
Kenmore, WA
October 20, 2024 - 5pm Performance Review
My favorite time of year is in full swing which also means a new production from As If Theatre company. This year they unveiled “The 39 Steps” on October 17th (which runs through November 3rd). A parody of the spy thriller film from Alfred Hitchock, the show is a wild ride of murder mystery and humor performed by four actors on stage.
I consider myself a creative type of person. Yet, I am not a theatre person in terms of knowing the ins and outs of how productions are created nor the performances from the actors and all that entails. So, when a cast consistently pulls out ideas to enhance the story, I’m just as amused as any audience member. For example the use of blank frames as windows (going in and out), stuffed sheep being thrown on the floor to represent the sheep that the characters are surrounded by, a cast member as a Christmas tree, etc. All of these ideas not only worked but added to the light heartedness of the production.
I don’t spend much time going over the plot during any of my reviews (for any art form, really). I’d rather the reader go see a performance and make up their own mind.
What I will write about are the actors. This show has four accomplished actors that I have seen in As If Theatre productions as well as others around town. So, going into this show, I knew what the cast was capable of. That still doesn’t mean that the show would work. The talent may be there but there are other factors that impact whether a show comes together or not.
I can say without hesitation that Chris Clark (as Richard Hannay), Mary Guthrie (as Annabella, Margaret, and Pamela), Cindy Giese French (as Clown 1), and Terry Boyd (as Clown 2) were as strong a cast as I’ve seen in any production around town.
The sheer amount of characters that had to be performed, let alone getting the timing down with the constant changeovers, and all the while nailing the dialogue and the comedy was truly something remarkable to behold. Lesser actors would have stumbled at some point with the volume of responsibility but not this cast. They took hold of the material with gusto and took the show to other levels several times during the production.
When casts work well together, along with all the behind the scenes talent, they can almost do no wrong. Director and Set Designer Chris Shea kept this show moving at a quick pace without letting it fly off the rails (which it easily could have). The lighting cues and audio cues were a staggering amount (over the 100’s in number) to keep track of. Several dialects were spoken by the characters so that need was met as well. The show was a complete package of talent both on and off the stage.
If I had one small area to quibble about it would be in the second act. The bed scene with Chris Clark and Mary Guthrie’s characters dragged on a bit. The pacing took a noticeable drop at that point which has more to do with the story than anything else. It’s not a reflection on the acting at all. It’s almost as if that part could have been edited out just to keep things moving along. But, again, that’s a minor quibble.
Overall, “The 39 Steps” was a fun adventure filled with changes aplenty that will surely please most, if not all, patrons that attend a performance.
Recommended.
Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links and Email
Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon
Directed by Chris Shea
As If Theatre Company
Kenmore Community Club
Kenmore, WA
October 20, 2024 - 5pm Performance Review
(Photo by Christine Mitchell)
My favorite time of year is in full swing which also means a new production from As If Theatre company. This year they unveiled “The 39 Steps” on October 17th (which runs through November 3rd). A parody of the spy thriller film from Alfred Hitchock, the show is a wild ride of murder mystery and humor performed by four actors on stage.
I consider myself a creative type of person. Yet, I am not a theatre person in terms of knowing the ins and outs of how productions are created nor the performances from the actors and all that entails. So, when a cast consistently pulls out ideas to enhance the story, I’m just as amused as any audience member. For example the use of blank frames as windows (going in and out), stuffed sheep being thrown on the floor to represent the sheep that the characters are surrounded by, a cast member as a Christmas tree, etc. All of these ideas not only worked but added to the light heartedness of the production.
I don’t spend much time going over the plot during any of my reviews (for any art form, really). I’d rather the reader go see a performance and make up their own mind.
What I will write about are the actors. This show has four accomplished actors that I have seen in As If Theatre productions as well as others around town. So, going into this show, I knew what the cast was capable of. That still doesn’t mean that the show would work. The talent may be there but there are other factors that impact whether a show comes together or not.
(Photo by Christine Mitchell)
I can say without hesitation that Chris Clark (as Richard Hannay), Mary Guthrie (as Annabella, Margaret, and Pamela), Cindy Giese French (as Clown 1), and Terry Boyd (as Clown 2) were as strong a cast as I’ve seen in any production around town.
The sheer amount of characters that had to be performed, let alone getting the timing down with the constant changeovers, and all the while nailing the dialogue and the comedy was truly something remarkable to behold. Lesser actors would have stumbled at some point with the volume of responsibility but not this cast. They took hold of the material with gusto and took the show to other levels several times during the production.
When casts work well together, along with all the behind the scenes talent, they can almost do no wrong. Director and Set Designer Chris Shea kept this show moving at a quick pace without letting it fly off the rails (which it easily could have). The lighting cues and audio cues were a staggering amount (over the 100’s in number) to keep track of. Several dialects were spoken by the characters so that need was met as well. The show was a complete package of talent both on and off the stage.
(Photo by Christine Mitchell)
If I had one small area to quibble about it would be in the second act. The bed scene with Chris Clark and Mary Guthrie’s characters dragged on a bit. The pacing took a noticeable drop at that point which has more to do with the story than anything else. It’s not a reflection on the acting at all. It’s almost as if that part could have been edited out just to keep things moving along. But, again, that’s a minor quibble.
Overall, “The 39 Steps” was a fun adventure filled with changes aplenty that will surely please most, if not all, patrons that attend a performance.
Recommended.
Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links and Email
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