The 39 Steps, a parody play adapted from Hitchcock's 1935 movie and John Buchan’s 1915 novel, performed to packed audiences over two weeks in March at Greytown Little Theatre’s home: Studio 73. 

Set in a time when countries were preparing for war, the play’s serious message about standing up for what is right when all around you people are losing their morals and their heads, was brilliantly supported by slapstick comedy. 

Egan Tearle played the part of Richard Hannay, and was the perfect hero.  

Raised an orphan and having served in the military, Hannay was now struggling to make his way in London and was looking for love. Meeting a mysterious woman (Annabella Schmidt) with a beguiling accent and a fear of the secret agents who were after her, Hannay agreed to help. She explained they must go to Scotland the very next day to find a man called Professor Jordan, and uncover a secret known as The 39 Steps - a secret critical to national security. Time was of the essence. Jordan, played by the well-known actor Julia Harris, would be recognisable by his little finger - half of which was missing. 

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During the night, however, the enemy’s secret agents caught up with Schmidt and did her in. Played by Anna Maria Logan, Schmidt died spectacularly over Hannay, a dagger in her back. Hannay slickly wriggled out from under the dead woman, and became determined to pick up the baton of finding and exposing The 39 Steps. 

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Tearle was very convincing as the debonair and James Bond-esque Hannay, as he pursued his righteous quest on a train to Scotland (crawling over the roof to get away from the secret agents), on foot through marshes and streams, and on a motorbike (complete with goggles and streaming white scarf). Wardrobe, managed by Rita Ann Penhale Cashmore, was right on trend for the early 20th century. 

 

During the chase, Hannay acquired a more promising love interest. This one - Pamela Edwards, played by Holly Jacobson, another student - managed to stay alive through the ups and downs of the quest (and their relationship), despite being handcuffed to Hannay and dragged around Scotland at a cracking pace. The hunt for the truth was cleverly enabled by the use of space and construction of the set designed by John Gilberthorpe, a stalwart of GLT and Studio 73. Alan De la Mare’s complicated lighting plot added dramatically to the mood and atmosphere of the production. 

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In pursuit of The 39 Steps, it was revealed that Professor Jordan and his wife (played by Rachel Norman) were the enemy. They were supported by a cache of secret agents and cleverly planted locals who had been turned to the enemy’s cause.  

 

The play was directed by the brilliant and very experienced Lynn Bushell, who lifted the slapstick elements by revealing the set and costume/character changes in full view of the audience, rather than behind the scenes.  

 

The secret agents’ getaway car, in which Hannay and Edwards were held prisoner, was blocked by a flock of sheep which invaded the audience, enabling the hero and heroine to escape, much to the amusement of the rural audience. Dancing girls - lanky teenage boys in tutus doing the Can Can - brought the house down. 

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Drama and performance students from Kuranui College - Heath Dunnet, Keiran Downs, Owen Wos and Finn-Oskar Mikkelsen - played all the other parts in the play including ancient Scottish politicians, police officers under the spell of the secret agents, hired muscle, and the opening/closing character, Mr Memory. The energy of the students, their capacity to portray multiple and very different characters, and their expertise with accents, was extraordinary.  

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Other students from the College - Harry Crawford and Dallas Riley - were skillfully in charge of sound and assisted with the lighting. Hopefully we will see many more plays at Studio 73 and elsewhere that showcase the skills of the students.  

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Although Mr Memory was killed at the end, his last gasp (thankfully) revealed the secret of The 39 Steps. And Hannay, like James Bond, got the girl - a happy ending after a madcap, fast paced romp in a time both long ago and much like now.  

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Angela Yeoman is a writer living in Carterton.