River Road Theatre will be bringing the recordbreaking Broadway comedy The 39 Steps to the Riverside Theatre every weekend from July 29 to August 14. This fast-paced spy thriller/farce is a sure hit with all ages, featuring everything from daredevil train chases to vaudeville comedy acts to moments of good-old-fashioned, swoon-worthy romance.
Adapted from the famous 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, The 39 Steps tells the tale of dashing hero Richard Hannay, who is swept into a world of intrigue and adventure on the eve of World War II when he becomes entangled with a glamorous female spy. He is chased across England and Scotland by train, car and on foot, in a desperate attempt to save his homeland from the threat of a devilishly clever foreign agent.
The unique comedy of the play emerges from the fact that over thirty characters are played by just two actors. This Olympian feat of acting has proved an exciting challenge for River Road Theatre company members Marcus Stusek and Heather Motut.
“We have one actor playing Richard Hannay, one actress playing the three women who he becomes romantically involved with, and then Marcus and I play every other character in the show - men, women, children and even the occasional inanimate object,” says Motut, “It’s kind of crazy switching roles so many times, and switching your accent and your physicality each time, but it makes the show absolutely hilarious.” It also allows “a cast of four to seem like a cast of thousands”, as put by Ben Brantley of The New York Times.
Just like River Road Theatre’s previous two productions – the musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and the comedy Barefoot in the Park – this show has been created from the ground up in just three weeks. “One of the biggest challenges with this production was finding quality 1930’s costumes for the myriad of characters that appear onstage,” says director Chelsea Turner, “We were extremely lucky to have most of our costumes loaned from famed Vancouver costumer Chris Sinosich, and tailored specifically to our actors. It lends a real touch of authenticity to the show.”
“We have also had to create an extensive “soundscape” for the show,” Turner says, “There is a lot of musical underscoring and sound effects; it not only helps us tell the story, but it makes the show much more entertaining and atmospheric.”
Tickets for The 39 Steps are available at the Princeton Shopper’s Drug Mart, by phone at 250 293 6152, or at the door. Shows are running every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. - and also at 2. p.m on Saturdays - at the Riverside Centre. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.