Remarkable Theatre | Revived

The 39 Steps

Revive Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne

By Luke Graham: Editor - Dorset View

This thrilling performance of ‘The 39 Steps’ by local performers is laugh-out-loud funny with impressive production design and is well worth a night out to the theatre.

Based on John Buchan’s 1915 novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film from 1935, this stage adaption turns the classic thriller into comic farce. It satirises espionage stories, parodies Hitchcock’s cinematic style, and plays with the conventions of theatre itself, while still telling a tense story of spies, murder and intrigue.

The show follows Richard Hannay, a dashing yet ordinary British gentleman, who suddenly finds himself pulled into a sinister conspiracy after an encounter with a mysterious woman, forcing him to travel the country and avoid the authorities, all to discover who or what are ‘The 39 Steps’.

This stage version challenges four actors to play over 130 roles and portray exciting set pieces like a train chase, bridge escape, and plane crash using simple stage props.

Revive Theatre have done a remarkable job with this technically challenging play. The stage design is brilliant and highly professional, and the cast are all incredibly funny.

Sean Beaumont does an impeccable job as Richard Hannay, on stage for almost every scene, able to garner the audience’s sympathy while still playing up the jokes.

Tabitha Cox has to play three very different female parts: the mysterious secret agent Annabelle, the simple country girl Margaret, and the no-nonsense Pamela. She plays each part fantastically, with excellent physical comedy.

Every other role is played by two clowns — that’s not an insult, that’s what they’re called in the programme! Chris Stowe and Dean Rawson play their parts excellently. They get to have the most fun by playing such a diverse range of characters, from police and pilots to farmers and villains. The loudest laughs of the night were caused by the antics to these two.

Revive Theatre was founded just a few years ago, and this is their third production after ‘Dial M for Murder’ in 2023 and last year’s ‘One Man Two Guvnors.’

Their latest show delivers playful, slapstick humour, performed at a professional standard. 

One Man Two Guvnor's - Dorset View Review

Review by Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Manic – but very funny – this production directed by Richard Batt provided all the elements that make for good theatre, not to mention a thoroughly good night out.

Set in 1963 Brighton, the story follows the misadventures of Francis Henshall, a hapless, easily confused but ever-hungry individual, who finds himself simultaneously employed by two eccentric bosses, each with their own agendas.

It was inspired to cast Jamie Riding in the role of Henshall. A professional actor, puppeteer, family entertainer and panto dame, he not only gelled well with the other talented members of the cast, he also got the audience on his side – and onto the stage!

Annabel Worsfold had to portray both Rachel and Roscoe and this she did with plenty of pzazz. Dean Rawson, who is also the technical director of Revive Theatre, encapsulated the upper-class twit, whilst Tobias Batt went delightfully over the top as amateur actor Alan Dangle.

How Chris Stowe didn’t seriously injure himself as the elderly Alfie, I can’t imagine, as his falls were spectacular.

There were also faultless performances from Sean Beaumont as mobster Charlie the Duck, Louise Land as Pauline, Adrian Lane as Harry, Simon Meredith as Lloyd. Libby Russell as Dolly, Lewis Baines as Gareth ad Ben May as the policeman and cabbie.

And adding to the entertainment were the band who played 60s numbers at the scene changes – Christopher Rogers, Alex Clark, Ben May and Tobias Batt.

The theatre company will be back at the Tivoli next September with ‘The 39 Steps’, which promises to be a hilarious adaptation of the Hitchcock Classic. Put it in your diary now.

In the meantime, if you missed the Wimborne production, you can see this excellent play at Bridport Electric Palace on 4 and 5 October and at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage on 11 and 12 October.