Review: The 39 Steps

The 2021 Introspect production of The 39 Steps benefits from a solid cast, great set, lovely costumes, and an enthusiastic creative team.

Introspect Theatre Company is clearly aiming high. The company Facebook page describes the group as ‘an emerging theatre company in the north of Brisbane, dedicated to enriching our community with the performing arts, and creating an avenue for up-and-coming artists to hone, develop and explore their creative skills’. The July 2021 production of The 39 Steps demonstrates that the Introspect team, led by Artistic Director Cindy Sykes, are on track to realise their goals.

The 39 Steps is an entertaining, Monty Pythonesque parody of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film. If you haven’t read the book, seen the film, or caught the stage show, then you need to know that this is a classic tale of a British hero (the dashing Richard Hannay) who, following the murder of a glamourous spy in his London flat, embarks on a madcap dash to Scotland to save the country. You also need to know it can be very funny as the script calls for a limited set, and a small cast—requiring a variety of quick changes to depict around 30 characters.

All of this means that The 39 Steps is a popular and widely performed play (I last saw it in 2017). It is easy to see why: it can be relatively cost-effective to put on and, done well, it is a fast-paced and funny night out. But, like many farces, it is a deceptively difficult show to put on.

The 2021 Introspect show benefits from a solid cast, great set, lovely costumes, and an enthusiastic creative team. Cein D'Costa (Richard Hannay) is a fantastic leading man, with excellent stage presence and an endearing ability to bumble and be heroic at the same time. Robyn Payne (Pamela Edwards) is a fabulous and fearless leading lady, who also does a mean job of portraying the Scottish news reporter with the ‘hots’ for Hannay. Cindy Sykes juggles four roles, accents and ‘hats’ with great aplomb (as Annabella, Margaret, Artistic Director, and Director). Michael Petrie and Ashley Coyte work hard as the all-important Clowns, and the audience were greatly entertained by their accents, cross-dressing, and Scottish accents.

My opening night highlights included the Schmidt death scene (with Hannay’s entertaining extraction from his chair), the clowns as/on the plane, the Hannay-Edwards ‘bedroom’ scene, and Payne’s news reporter cameos. The portrayal of various accents was entertaining and demonstrated the skill of each of the performers, even down to the authentically and occasionally impenetrable Scots accents of the Inspector and Innkeeper.

I would have preferred that the actors didn’t use radio mics, but perhaps the creative team wanted a ‘radio play’ vibe. I would also have preferred that the Clowns were more easily distinguished from each other, but that’s a small quibble. The bigger issue was that I would like to have seen more frenzy and a greater pace. There were a few small technical hitches on the opening night, which might have contributed to a lengthier run time than usual. As The 39 Steps calls for a high-paced performance, once the team start to really enjoy the show, I hope that they’ll get to the two-hour run time (including interval), and be rewarded with the full-houses that they deserve.

Verdict: A great cast. Keep an eye out for what Introspect Theatre Company do next.

Catherine Lawrence

Picture: The 39 Steps (Picture Credit Creative Futures Photography) — **Picture**: The 39 Steps (*Picture Credit Creative Futures Photography*)

Audience Information: Introspect Theatre Company's The 39 Steps opened on 24th of July (additional performances on 25, 29 and 31 July, and on 1 August). 165 minutes (plus 20 minute interval). 10+, some smoke and haze, strobe lighting, and the use of replica guns. All seats give a great view, and I’d particularly recommend the more comfortable raked seating (aim for rows F-J). On a cold evening, wrap up warmly, and/ or arrive early and make a purchase from the on-site coffee cart. The performance space at the Northpine Christian College is toward the back of the campus, a few minutes’ walk from the main entrance carpark (29 Hughes Road East, Dakabin QLD 4503). The on-site car park was locked when we departed, but the exit gates were activated by a car driving toward the sensor. Tickets: $25 (adults), Family $80, student/child $20.

The reviewer attended the Introspect Theatre Company's premiere performance (7pm, Saturday 24 July, 2021)

Geoff Lawrence