The 39 Steps at Grand Opera House York Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Dottie Rood

Well, if you can remember the original film The 39 Steps you would be 89! as it came out in 1935. This was advertised as a thriller/mystery that was in black and white and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This was the first of four film versions and was taken from the book, The 39 Steps, written by John Buchan (1915). The other three film versions were in 1959, 1978 and a ‘TV movie’ in 2008. There have been a number of other television adaptations and lots of ‘plays’.

This one, at the Grand Opera House, York is different from the original in a few ways. It does follow the original storyline but has much more humour, comic timing and fast paced acting than the original all due to the brilliant adaptation of playwright Patrick Barlow.

He wanted to, “keep the story as tight and real as possible” and true to Alfred Hitchcock’s original as he could while accepting that this version is, “ridiculous, because the whole thing is done with four people and there are smoke machines and music and they’re changing hats and voices and props all the time but the story is the thing”.

The story:
It is set in 1935 and gives the sense of the “world potentially at war with itself” i.e. “one great superpower facing off against another great superpower, with spies in the mix” (quoted by Edward (Ed) Snape of Fiery Angel Productions who produced The 39 Steps York). Our version starts with the main character, Richard Hannay (played by Tom Byrne) sitting on his own in London (he is Canadian) feeling very lonely and low and deciding to visit a show in the West End. We then meet ‘Mr Memory’ (played by Eugene McCoy) and his assistant (played by Maddie Rice) who are performing on stage (brilliantly I might add!) when there is a gunshot! Enter agent Annabella Smith (played by Safeena Ladha) who goes home with Richard but is soon sadly killed. Richard Hannay realises that state secrets are in danger of being leaked and he needs to not only avoid the police, who are chasing him, but he must also convince the appropriate authorities of the impending ‘stealing of British military secrets’. He has an unwilling accomplice in Pamela (played by Safeena Ladha) who becomes a ‘love interest’ with very funny consequences.

This whole play has just four characters and is very fast paced, slightly farcical in places and tells the story brilliantly. It is a very ‘feel good’ play that does touch on ‘class’, ‘murder’ and ‘mayhem’ but with humour and absurdity in equal measures.

The 39 Steps, York, is being shown at the Grand Opera House York from Tuesday 23rd July to Saturday 27th July 2024, it is a beautiful mid-sized theatre that was built in 1902 and has recently undergone a major re-furnishment. The seats are comfortable with good views and plenty of leg room. It offers a number of snacks and drinks at reasonable prices and has helpful friendly staff.

I would highly recommend this play, even if you don’t know the original story this play is easy to follow. It has some up-to-date one-liners that make it appropriate to this day and age and is performed brilliantly by all the actors involved. It is a laugh out loud performance that was really enjoyable to watch.

Rating:  5/5

Tickets cost: From £13.00 with £3.95 transaction fee.
39 Steps is at Grand Opera House York Clifford and Cumberland Street York YO1 9SW
From Tuesday 23rd July to Saturday 27th July 2024 For more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-39-steps/grand-opera-house-york/   or call the box office on: 0113 223 3600 
   
Photo credit: Mark Senior Shared by Marketing Department