A Review

An Inventive Homage . . . Actually

By R. J. Donovan

The Huntington Theatre is kicking off its main stage season with a totally ingenious and thoroughly engaging production of Patrick Barlow's stage adaptation of "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps." Boston audiences are fortunate to have the opportunity to absorb the American premiere of the inventive British import prior to its move to Broadway in December.

The story centers on an innocent man, dashing British bachelor Richard Hannay, who winds up knee-deep in pursuing a secret of national importance -- which is similarly being hidden by a spy ring of character actor no-goodnicks. Through it all, Hannay is nothing but refined and polite as he's handcuffed, shot at and chased across The Moors.

In a nutshell, the stage play takes a comedic jab at the original film as it works to transfer every legendary scene to the stage. That includes the frantic chase on top of a moving train, the escape on the Forth Bridge, and the aerial crash of two biplanes. Kudos to director Maria Aitken for the breakneck pace and the razor sharp focus. (The tongue-in-cheek thriller received London's 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.)

With more than 100 roles performed by four actors, the cast is led by Charles Edwards as Hannay (at left in brown topcoat), who starred in the show's original London run. The two major female roles are handled by Jennifer Ferrin, while the rest of the lot (and a huge lot at that) are brilliantly sketched by Arnie Burton and Cliff Saunders (above with Edwards). Plus, Hitchcock himself makes a trademark cameo.

With physical comedy and sight gags galore, the show has only a handful of props and almost no set. But it does have rapid-fire costume changes, many of which take place with the mere turn of a back. (How can you not love a show where a bog is played by a crouching man in a big green trash bag.)

Terribly proper and terribly civilized even as murders and shootings and dangerous damsels swirl about, the show faithfully captures the look and feel of the original film while remaining completely self-aware of what it's doing. The combination is delightful.

For a lesson in how one brings an action-adventure thriller to the stage with both cinematic brilliance and a comedic twist without ever relying on high-tech gimmicks, just stop by the Huntington and take a look. Actually.

"The 39 Steps" is at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston, through October 14. For information, call 617-266-0800.

Production Photo: T. Charles Erickson

-- OnStage Boston