The 39 Steps: The Lantern Theater’s newest comedy
The 39 Steps is performing an extended run at the Lantern Theater Company in Philadelphia. My family tried to buy tickets for the next night’s show once we returned from Friday’s run, but it was sold out!
“Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the novel by John Buchan
And the movie by Alfred Hitchcock
Directed by Charles McMahon”
We love an adaptation!
Based on the 1935 Hitchcock film, The 39 Steps was a hilarious spoof on Hitchcock’s classic melodramatic style. The play, cleverly written, was also packed with allusions to Hitchcock’s works. I didn’t pick up on all of them, or even most of them, but my father certainly did! I feel confident in reporting on his behalf that the allusions were expertly woven into the script.
The Lantern Theater boasts an intimate blackbox setting, allowing for connection between actor and audience. The four actors who performed in their production of The 39 Steps certainly utilized this. The 39 Steps left audiences laughing continually throughout the production. The serious story turned hilarious as the actors expertly exaggerated the melodramatic acting style.
Anne Bogart speaks about resistance as a conduit for creativity. This production certainly showcased this, as every possibility of difficulty became an opportunity for creativity and humor. The crux of this? Acknowledging that the audience knows that The 39 Steps is a play! The audience, who sat only a few feet away from the action, was clearly aware that the cast of four often portrayed multiple characters. Rather than try to mask this with elaborate costumes, The Lantern used the small cast size to their advantage. Actors swapped hats, scarves, and accents openly in front of the audience, and one actor sometimes portrayed two characters who were conversing with one another. While the accent switching was incredibly impressive, the ability to win the hearts of the audience members through silliness and honesty was even more so.
The Lantern Theater Company delivered a fantastic production, and I could not recommend it more! If you’re looking for an interesting, entertaining, and uproarious play, I urge you to see The 39 Steps at the Lantern before it closes!
