The 39 Steps
March 2022
Written by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow
Directed by Kathy West
Cast List
Richard Hannay
Ryan Caston
Annabella/Margaret/Pamela
Jo Godman
Clown 1
Alan Godman
Clown 2
Dean Caston
Radio Announcer
Steve Berry
Stage Manager
Ian West
Set Construction
Ian West, Alan Godman, Hugh Bailey, Steve Berry, Kathy West,
Dave Neale, Mick Feekings, Gerry Flanagan, and Helen Caston
Stage Crew
Jill Balderston & Kathy West
Dresser for Mr Godman
Claire Feekings
Dresser for Mr Caston
Leigh Redding
Prompt
Helen Caston
Props
Jill Balderston
Lighting
Matt Micallef
Sound
Steve Hewlett
Costumes
Claire Feekings and cast members
NODA Review
Friday 18th March 2022
Based on the classic novel by John Buchan and its film adaptions (the most famous by Alfred Hitchcock), this version by Patrick Barlow is a spoof, re-enacted by 5 actors, playing countless roles between them. Our hero Richard Hannay (Ryan Caston) is the only constant. The woman (Jo Godman) plays three different women, secret agent Annabella Schmidt, who winds up murdered in Hannay's flat, Pamela, a young woman who gets involved in his situation and Margaret, the farmer's wife who yearns for city life. A vast array of multiple roles ranging from salesmen, police officers, spies, train guard, newspaper seller, farmer, hotel keeper and his wife, Mr. Memory ‐ the list goes on, are all played by two men, described in the programme as Clown 1 (Alan Godman) and Clown 2 (Dean Caston). There was also a radio announcer (Steve Berry).
This play is heavily reliant on the four actors on stage who, at times, have seconds to change character, costume and accent but this couldn't have been in safer hands. All this was achieved with the most basic of scenery and the use of imagination (the silhouette scene of the chase across the moors was excellent). Ryan Caston did a fine job as Richard Hannay, his delivery of lines was just right and clear. What a superb performance by Jo Godman in all her different characters, totally believable. Also the way that Ryan and Jo managed to present themselves as 'serious' characters but were also able to deliver the comedy when needed. Alan Godman and Dean Caston both worked extremely hard at their parts, which involved good comic timing, quick changes and physical theatre, a joy to watch two experienced performers who worked well together. Kathy West's direction was spot on but with such a talented cast, it must have made her job a lot easier.
Lighting and sound must have been difficult at times but from my point of view ‐ faultless, as was the 'dancing' back stage crew and swift scene changes.
This is a great show, great fun to watch with lots of visual humour, which a written report cannot do justice ‐ well done everyone.
Doreen Grierson (for Gordon Harris),
NODA rep. District 7
Based on the classic novel by John Buchan and its film adaptions (the most famous by Alfred Hitchcock), this version by Patrick Barlow is a spoof, re-enacted by 5 actors, playing countless roles between them. Our hero Richard Hannay (Ryan Caston) is the only constant. The woman (Jo Godman) plays three different women, secret agent Annabella Schmidt, who winds up murdered in Hannay's flat, Pamela, a young woman who gets involved in his situation and Margaret, the farmer's wife who yearns for city life. A vast array of multiple roles ranging from salesmen, police officers, spies, train guard, newspaper seller, farmer, hotel keeper and his wife, Mr. Memory ‐ the list goes on, are all played by two men, described in the programme as Clown 1 (Alan Godman) and Clown 2 (Dean Caston). There was also a radio announcer (Steve Berry).
This play is heavily reliant on the four actors on stage who, at times, have seconds to change character, costume and accent but this couldn't have been in safer hands. All this was achieved with the most basic of scenery and the use of imagination (the silhouette scene of the chase across the moors was excellent). Ryan Caston did a fine job as Richard Hannay, his delivery of lines was just right and clear. What a superb performance by Jo Godman in all her different characters, totally believable. Also the way that Ryan and Jo managed to present themselves as 'serious' characters but were also able to deliver the comedy when needed. Alan Godman and Dean Caston both worked extremely hard at their parts, which involved good comic timing, quick changes and physical theatre, a joy to watch two experienced performers who worked well together. Kathy West's direction was spot on but with such a talented cast, it must have made her job a lot easier.
Lighting and sound must have been difficult at times but from my point of view ‐ faultless, as was the 'dancing' back stage crew and swift scene changes.
This is a great show, great fun to watch with lots of visual humour, which a written report cannot do justice ‐ well done everyone.
Doreen Grierson (for Gordon Harris),
NODA rep. District 7
Richard Hannay is on the run from the police, who suspect him of murdering the woman found stabbed to death in his London flat. This story and his photograph are in many of the newspapers throughout Britain. In reality, the woman picked Hannay up at the Mr Memory show, telling him that two men were trying to kill her in an effort to obtain information that would breach national security. Hannay is not only on the run from police, but is also trying to find out the nature of this potential security breach to clear his name. All he knows from the dead woman is that it has something to do with a man in a small town in Scotland, another man who has part of his little finger missing, and "The 39 Steps". On this perilous journey of discovery, he's forced to take along a feisty young woman named Pamela, who is endlessly belligerent towards him despite her precarious situation.
