18.47°C There can’t be much more than thirty-nine steps from the stage to the audience in the Mercury Theatre, but the exuberance of this production shoots energy right out to the back row and into every corner. In a welcome return by former Artistic Director Ryan McBryde, his directing panache and style are clear to see. The zippy pace, superb physicality and clowning, and a signature slow-motion sequence featuring a strobe and stage smoke provide an evening of top-class entertainment. John Buchan’s novel is ably adapted by Patrick Barlow, as his hero Richard Hannay gets caught up in a race against time to stop harmful top secrets from leaving the country.
It’s a top-notch cast and, with no disrespect to their fellow performers, Danielle Bird and Phil Yarrow are the spine of the show as the two “clowns”, multi-rolling with frenetic speed, twisting and mangling accents hilariously. Some changes are quick; the switching between characters using only hats on the train to Scotland feels fresh and inspired, while other times, they ease into characterisations. They are superb. Equally good is Mateo Oxley as Hannay, his perfect stiff upper lip ironed into place, and Mei Mei MacLeod does fine work with the more “straight” parts, especially as the love interest. The fifth character in the play is Libby Todd’s outstanding design, as versatile and flexible as the actors, revealing surprises right through to the end. The car is an absolute delight!
The only scene that outstays its welcome is the hotel scene in Scotland, the only one that feels a little too long. It’s true that there’s nothing here to challenge the thought process; it’s light entertainment, but the revelation of the thirty-nine steps is very clever and hidden well until the conclusion. Part of the game is to count the references to other Hitchcock films; I got four, but I suspect there are many more buried in the play!
This production delivers exactly what it sets out to do: provide an uplifting evening of entertainment. It’s well worth taking steps to catch it!
Until 29th March: The 39 Steps — Mercury Theatre.
Paul T. Davies
Photo credit Alastair Muir
