Theater Review: 'The 39 Steps' at Westport Country Playhouse

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

It was good to be back at the Westport Country Playhouse for the first show in the “season of laughter.” “The 39 Steps” is adapted by Patrick Barlow, from the novel by John Buchan, from the movie by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. The delightful four-person comedy is directed by Mark Shanahan and continues at the Playhouse through Nov. 9.

The director describes this show as a “wonderful comedic play and it has a long and varied history.” It began with a 1914 novel by Buchan, which deals with the outbreak of World War I and the political intrigue of the era. Buchan’s Hannay was the hero of five of his novels.

Hitchcock’s 1935 spy-thriller, which contains the director’s themes of “a severe mistrust of authority, a hero wrongly accused of murder, a wild journey through dangerous landscapes, a generous helping of wry humor, and an examination of the battle between the sexes, and of course, a beautiful Hitchcock Blond.”

Shanahan notes that Hitchcock, with the screenwriter Charles Bennett, reinvented the script by adding characters, especially a love interest for Hannay. He adds that Barlow’s adaptation “is a loving and smart tribute not simply to the master director but to the world of theatre itself.” It is not lost on Shanahan that the play begins and ends in a theater as he brings it to the historic stage in Westport.

Barlow’s adaptation has played in over forty countries. He is currently writing theater versions of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and “Dracula.”

While the two acts contain some very funny bits, I always enjoy watching the clever stagecraft that is required to bring the madcap story to life, all at breakneck speed.

Only Joe Delafied, a member of Actor’s Equity, gets to play one character in this play, that of “the ultimate actor,” Richard Hannay. The talented Delafied embodies the handsome man with wonderful physical comedy. He appeared in “A Sherlock Carol” at the Playhouse.

Equity member Sharone Sayegh takes on three of the female presenting roles, including the mysterious Allabella Schmidt, Pamela and Margaret. The actress originated the role of Anna in “The Band’s Visit on Broadway.” Sayegh returns to the Playhouse after playing the role of Emma Wiggins and others in “A Sherlock Carol.’

The remaining two parts are billed as Clown 1 and Clown 2, for that is essentially how they are written. Equity member Seth Andrew Bridges is a riot in the roles assigned to Clown 1, including Prof. Jordan and many others. Bridges returns to the Playhouse after taking part in the Script in Hand reading of “Murder by Misadventure” and working as fight choreographer for “A Sherlock Carol,” which returns for a brief run this holiday season Dec.17 - 22.

Evan Zes, an Equity performer, is Clown 2, the silly Mr. Memory and many others. Zes appeared on Broadway in “The Kite Runner” and has worked at Hartford Stage. The two Clowns have a myriad of costume changes, one accomplished onstage with the frequent switching of hats.

The scenic designer James J. Fenton was presented with the challenge of keeping up with the various scenes and he succeeds with a somewhat simple set. Costume designer Jeni Schaefer also keeps up with the numerous costume changes needed for three of the performers. Lighting designed by J. Dominic Chacon works well, and sound designed by Ryan Rumery contains some delightfully comic riffs and tinny musical pieces of the era. Equity Stage Manager Megan Smith deserves a shout out for keeping straight all of the moves of the breakneck action.

The audience at opening night was full of patrons who laughed heartily at the antics of the characters and the inventive stagecraft. I loved the cheeky reference to the professions of Westport residents and the reaction of the four onstage actors when a hand holding a pistol appears from the curtain.

The performance is presented with one 15-minute intermission. Tickets available at westportplayhouse.org/show/the-39-steps/.

Nancy Sasso Janis is the membership chair of the Connecticut Critics Circle. Follow the CCC on Facebook at facebook.com/ctcriticscircle for links to current reviews written by all of its members.