Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” has found a new home on Ridley College’s stage and it’s not your ordinary theatrical adaptation.
This radio play was nothing short of a delight. “The 39 Steps” took the audience on a suspenseful journey filled with witty humour, clever onstage Foley work and plenty of Hitchcock references that will leave anyone familiar with the director’s filmography grinning from ear to ear.
We follow Richard Hannay on his adventure across Europe seeking the meaning of The 39 Steps as a means to prove himself innocent of murder.
The cast delivered a stellar performance with fantastic chemistry between characters while not physically interacting with each other.
Kingston Casey did an excellent job portraying the main character Richard Hannay. His ability to switch between scenes and emotions while maintaining the character’s light humour and determination was impressive. The female lead Pamela Stewart, played by Jules Idigbe, provided a fresh feeling to the play with an ecstatic character to contrast Hannay’s monotonous attitude.
The witty banter between the two added a layer of finesse.
Various supporting characters kept the audience engaged. There were a few slip-ups on lines; however, any mistakes were covered up and by the end, when actors gained more confidence, it was rather seamless.
Onstage Foley artists Audrey Serravalle and August Xu were a standout feature of this production. The audience watched them create footsteps creaking up a set of stairs, gunshots, the sound of handcuffs and even a car pulling up a gravel driveway. Their precise work added depth and texture to this performance. This added authenticity to the radio play format, allowing the viewers to appreciate the artistry behind the scenes created by the students at Ridley.
Set design and lighting also played a crucial role in the overall experience. The audience was transported back in time with vintage costumes and period-appropriate props. Lighting was used to help divide the comedic moments from the suspenseful ones. Overall, the production design team deserves a special mention for nailing it.
One unexpected highlight was the incorporation of the Jingle Singers. These talented performers brought a whimsical element to the stage, singing catchy jingles reminiscent of the era in which the story is set. The jingles offered light nostalgia in contrast the play’s more suspenseful moments. Georgia Trites’ voice stood out the most from the ensemble and added some variation to the tunes.
“The 39 Steps” was executed with skill and creativity, perfect for fans of classic suspense, clever storytelling and innovative theatre. It’s a great experience for both Hitchcock enthusiasts and theatre lovers alike.
Addison Kendall is a student at Eden High School.
- Article was updated
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What are the Cappies?
Cappies Niagara is a critics and awards program for high school theatre and journalism that’s all about student reviews of student productions. For 2023-24, students from participating high schools are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools and write reviews.
Their reviews are submitted for review by a Cappies teacher. The top three reviews are published (the best one in its entirety) in the arts and life sections of Niagara’s three daily newspapers: The Standard, The Review and The Tribune.
At the end of the season, the student critics and performers gather for a formal Cappies awards ceremony.
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