Martin Happer, Shawn Macdonald, David Marr in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of The 39 Steps

The Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver is presenting The 39 Steps at the Stanley Theatre from now through November 21st. I enjoyed this theatre production immensely the other night, it was hilarious and these actors were wonderful in each of their roles.

Shawn Macdonald and David Marr in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of The 39 Steps

Hitchcock meets hilarious! A seductive mystery woman, an accusation of murder, a missing finger, and a mad dash to foil foreign spies! Four gifted actors play over 150 zany characters in this Monty-Python flavoured Hitchcock spoof that just might give you vertigo! Patrick Barlow’s comedic adaptation reenacts the 1935 Hitchcock film nearly verbatim, but with only four actors: one who only plays the main character, Richard Hannay (Martin Happer), one female actor who plays the three female love interests (Diana Coatsworth), and two actors who perform the rest of the cast of over a hundred, including the odd inanimate object (Shawn Macdonald, David Marr). Says director Dean Paul Gibson, “Four of our country’s funniest and most versatile actors take on the delightful task of creating the dozens of characters inhabiting the suspenseful world of The 39 Steps. Using simple props and flexible set pieces the stage will transport us from urban London to the rustic hills of Scotland-with all the various methods of travel needed to get there.”

Martin Happer in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of The 39 Steps.

Shawn Macdonald, Diana Coatwsworth, Martin Happer, David Marr in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps was hailed by the New York Post as “the most entertaining show on Broadway!,”ran for 771 performances (“the longest Broadway run in seven years” according to Playbill), and was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning two. Explains Gibson, “Patrick Barlow’s brilliant new adaptation based on the John Buchan novel and classic Alfred Hitchcock film promises to entertain and leave you laughing as you exit the theatre.”

Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville St., at 12th Ave.) from October 21 to November 21, 2010 Tuesday at 7:30 pm, Wednesday–Saturday at 8 pm, and Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $29 to $63, inclusive of all tax and fees. Call the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644 or visit artsclub.com.

Adapted By Patrick Barlow Starring Diana Coatsworth, Martin Happer, Shawn Macdonald, David Marr Directed by Dean Paul Gibson

Make sure that you get tickets for this production in advance.

By: Richard Wolak

Photos by David Cooper