REVIEW: THE 39 STEPS

BISHOPSTOKE PLAYERS

BISHOPSTOKE MEMORIAL HALL

BASED on the John Buchan novel and the subsequent Alfred Hitchcock movie, this 4-hander stays very true to the original story set in a 1935 that seems alien to our more liberal times. Exploiting these differences, Director Barry Kitchen has utilised the basic facilities of the Memorial Hall stage to full advantage allowing a packed audience to fully engage with the absurdities of the plot, whilst being amused by the spoof aspect of the sensibilities of the age. James Gould remained in perfect character throughout, clambering in and out of windows and running (a lot) whilst Kate Robbins, Rob Beadle and Pete Burton clambered in and out of costume and scenarios as the characters he meets along the way. The railway carriage scene was very effective, all 4 performers giving their all not only there but throughout, as the frenetic conclusion loomed. Boy's Own and Stiff Upper Lip stuff indeed!

David Putley