The 39 Steps at Derby Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Nigel Chester
Derby Theatre is set in the Derbion shopping centre in Derby City centre, where cafes bars and restaurants are plentiful, for pre or post theatre refreshments.
There is ample parking close to the theatre, and we chose to park for the evening in the underground car park below the centre, with parking costing a very reasonable £3.00.
Local and regional transport links are also very good, with the bus station about two minute’s walk away and the rail station around ten minute’s walk.
Derby Theatre is a professional producing and learning theatre working in partnership with the University of Derby.
We arrived at the theatre in good time to have a drink at the theatre bar, there is also a cafe on site. We had received e-tickets and these were scanned by theatre staff and we found our seat in the auditorium.
The performance of The 39 Steps is an adaptation by Patrick Barlow, based on the1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock, itself based on the1915 novel by John Buchan. Billed as a comedy thriller, we were informed that a cast of four, plus an understudy/general dogsbody would be performing over 130 roles in a tale of murder, false accusations, escape and espionage.
Beginning in the London flat of Richard Hannay (Ryan Starling) who is falsely accused of the murder of Annabella (Sophie Bloor) following their chance meeting at the theatre, where she had informed him of the 39 steps and an organisation of spies.
Soon he is in a hilarious madcap race the length of the country, to the wilds of Scotland pursued by police and enemy spies, encountering along the way, a bewildering range of characters all played by James Keningale and Kathryn Perkins employing quick changes of hats, coats and accents and the use of many props, many of them in the same scene, using slapstick and pantomime whilst trying to maintain an air of suspense.
During the journey Richard meets romantic interests Pamela, cool and aloof and crofters wife Marnie, both played by Sophie Bloor.
Following meeting the leader of the spy ring – think comedy Bond villain here, further arrests apprehensions and escapes lead Richard and Pamela to a final conclusion at the London Palladium.
Jokes abound, some in-house, some local and topical, all very funny.
Audience participation also forms a part of the whole scenario – beware the front row.
Ryan Starling as Richard, moved the play along seamlessly – nearly, but it was Sophie Bloor who was in my opinion the stand out performer for me, in her roles as Annabella, Marnie and Pamela, she did not simply play them, she was them.
James Keningale and Kathryn Perkins are to be congratulated for their sheer tireless energy, and for remembering which characters they were and when!
The lighting was excellent providing changes in mood and atmosphere and the use of shadow puppetry to portray the chase across the moors was used to very good effect.
The packed audience enjoyed the whole performance and rightly so, a thoroughly enjoyable evenings entertainment.
The 39 Steps runs until Saturday17th October with tickets priced between £22.50 – £36.00 with a variety of accessible options available.
For more information or to book tickets, visit https://derbytheatre.co.uk
The 39 Steps
Rating: 5/5