Stage West Presents THE 39 STEPS, 8/26

Stage West presents Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, adapted by Patrick Barlow.

One borEd Englishman, a glamorous spy, a murder, a manhunt, a beautiful hostage, and more costume changes than Greater Tuna. It's so much fun that it ought to be illegal, as Stage West presents Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, which will begin its run Thursday, August 26.

Richard Hannay, a thirty-something Brit, finds himself at loose ends and suffering from ennui, and so he decides to take in some theatrical entertainment. It turns out to be an unexpectedly eventful evening, as a beautiful woman in fear for her life begs for his help. She tells him she's a spy, and then she is murdered, leaving Hannay as the prime suspect. And so he's on the run, from London to Scotland, not knowing who he can trust, and trying to complete the dead woman's mission and save his country from a sinister plot.

In its original novel form, The 39 Steps is a pretty straight-up espionage tale by John Buchan. Alfred Hitchcock later put his own stamp on the story for the film version, which became a classic thriller mixed with a dash of wry humor. The inventive stage adaptation takes off from the film version, adding even more humor and a host of witty references to other Hitchcock films, and utilizing just two actors to portray over a hundred characters. It makes for a breathtakingly fast- paced evening full of laughs, and it was a major hit in London (winning the 2007 Olivier Award for best new comedy) and then in New York (winning two Tonys and two Drama Desk awards). Ben Brantley of The New York Times termed it "Absurdly enjoyable! This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock's film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands." Liz Smith of The New York Post raved "The most entertaining show on Broadway!" while The New York Post's Clive Barnes added "Riotous & marvelous!"

Patrick Barlow is probably best known in the UK for his hilarious two-man company, the National Theatre of Brent, which has become a legend in British theatre, television, and radio. Their comedy epics for the theatre include The Charge of the Light Brigade, Zulu!, The Black Hole of Calcutta, Wagner's Right Cycle, The Complete Guide to Sex, Love Upon the Throne: The Charles and Diana Story (Olivier Award nomination), and The Wonder of Sex.

They have won two Sony Gold Awards, a Premier Ondas Award, and the New York FestivAl Gold Award for Best Comedy. His film and television writing credits include Messiah, Van Gogh (Prix Futura Berlin Film Festival), Revolution!! (Best Comedy Film, Jerusalem Film Festival), The Young Visiters starring Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie, The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole, and Massive Landmarks of the 20th Century. His radio writing includes "The Compleat Life and Works of William Shakespeare," "The Patrick and Maureen Maybe Music Experience" with Imelda

The 39 Steps will preview Thursday, August 26 at 7:30 and Friday, August 27 at 8:00, and will run through Sunday, September 26. Performance times will be Thursday evenings at 7:30, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, with Sunday matinees at 3:00. The opening night reception will be Saturday, August 28 following the play. Ticket prices range from $26 to $30, with discounts for students and seniors. Preview tickets are priced at only $15. Pay What You Can performances will be Sunday, August 29 and Thursday, September 2. Food service is available 90 minutes prior to performances (reservations are generally necessary). Reservations and information are available through the Box Office (817-784-9378), or on the website, www.stagewest.org.

Members of the media may attend Saturday evening, August 28, or any performance
thereafter.

Stage West is located at 821 W. Vickery Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76104 Metro (817) 784-9378 (STG-WEST).

Preview tickets are $15, Regular tickets are $30 Fri and Sat nights (Student/senior $24), $26 Thurs nights and Sun matinees (Student/senior $20), Student rush tickets $5 for available seats 30 min. prior to curtain.

Photo Credit: Buddy Myers

To post a comment, you must register and login.