The Suspense and…Comedy(?) of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps
Empire Lifestyle Magazine, March 2022
What do you get when you combine espionage, action, suspense, romance, a love-letter to Alfred Hitchcock, and a cast of 4 actors portraying over two dozen characters? This is an exact recipe for the comedy-thriller, Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, the 4th and upcoming spring production in the Premiere Playhouse’s 19th season. Matt Nesmith, an associate professor of Theatre at the University of South Dakota, is directing the show, which is set to open March 3rd, 2022, at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Sioux Falls.
Based on John Buchan’s 1915 Scottish, spy thriller novel of the same name, The 39 Steps is probably most famously known as the 1935 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It tells the story of Richard Hannay, an ordinary man who, after sheltering a mysterious German woman named Annabella, inadvertently finds himself the target of an organization of spies known as The 39 Steps. When Annabella is suddenly murdered in the night, and Hannay is wrongfully accused by local authorities, “it begins this cat and mouse chase, that leads him to Scotland trying to figure out why he’s being accused of this crime and who The 39 Steps are,” explains Nesmith who’s previous Premier Playhouse directing credits include A Christmas Carol, Rock of Ages and Avenue Q.
While the original Hitchcock film is a classic example of the melodramatic film noir, the stage adaptation kicks up the tempo and adds some comedic flair. This is most noted in the 4 person cast, particularly the 2 actors referred to as “clowns” in the script and who play up to 14 characters each. These are the quirky denizens (and occasionally inanimate objects!) who Hannay encounters along his journey. Because of the play’s fast pace and small cast, these actors have to nimbly switch characters “at the drop of a hat” and often right before the audience. “[This] really comes out of kind of a commedia dell’arte background,” says Nesmith, “[they] transform quickly through physicality and vocality, into all these different characters. They play policeman, pilots, these kind of brutes and thugs, the villain professor, and all these other characters. It’s this wonderful bit of theatricality where the audience gets to see these actors do all these transformations. It adds a wonderful physical comedic element to the production.”
Possibly one of the most magical aspects of theatre is the unique connection formed between actors and audience. The 39 Steps in particular is a show that often very intentionally lets theatre-goers “in on the joke.” “There are opportunities to directly engage the audience by breaking the fourth wall at times. [T]he audience becomes participants in the world of the play, and not just observers of it, which I think can be exciting.” Nesmith reflects, “The nature of live theatre is that it’s a first-time, every-time experience for everyone on-stage and off-stage. That’s what makes live theatre different than going to a movie or watching something on Netflix at home. And [that experience] is so important, especially now in the world.”
As to who is going to enjoy The 39 Steps, Nesmith says right away, “I know my kids are going to love this and I have kids that are 14, 12, and 9. I feel they’re going to love it because they love physical comedy. They love the fast-paced, almost cartoon-ish elements.” But this show is not just for families. According to Nesmith, Hitchcock buffs will “see little homages and Easter eggs” from some of the Hitchcock movies. “Foggy lighting” and “light through slates of windows and doors,” a “kind of moody” atmosphere, are other nods made to the Master of Suspense. However, a familiarity with Hitchcock films is not necessary to enjoy the show. Instead, Nesmith recommends that theatre-goers “come in with that kind of attitude of I don’t know what’s coming, but I’m ready to receive all of it.”
The 39 Steps opens Thursday March 3, 2022 and runs through Sunday March 13, 2022. Tickets can be purchased online at thepremiereplayhouse.com.