Arts & Culture

Discover 'The 39 Steps' With UK Theatre

 

 

Promo for "The 39 Steps." Video courtesy of UK Theatre.

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 18, 2015)  What do you get when you mix four actors, murder and comedy? "The 39 Steps." University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance will present the mystery adapted from an Alfred Hitchcock film Feb. 25-March 1, at the Guignol Theatre in the Fine Arts Building

 

The play "The 39 Steps" is a hilarious and energetic comedy adapted by Patrick Barlow of the Hitchcock movie, which was adapted from the novel by John Buchan.

“We’re creating truth out of imaginary things,” said director and UK alumnus Andrew Gaukel. “That’s what’s so incredible about theatre. We are creating these amazing things that we invite the audience to believe with us.”

The production includes references to some of Hitchcock’s most famous movies including "Psycho," "The Birds" and "North by Northwest." The story follows average guy, Richard Hannay as he makes his way through Scotland to discover what a secret organization, The 39 Steps, is hiding.

“The play really takes off when Richard Hannay decides to pull himself out of this slump, and his first instinct is to go to the theatre,” said theatre and integrated strategic communication senior Peter LaPrade, from Marietta, Georgia. “And from then on it’s nonstop running.”

Trouble for Hannay begins when the beautiful Pamela Edwards, played by theatre junior Alexis Slocum from Fort Knox, Kentucky, crosses his path. Hannay must dodge police, uncover The 39 steps and balance his love life in the course of a two-act play.

The versatile actors known as “clowns,” played in this production by theatre junior Rob Miller, from Hilliard, Ohio, and theatre senior Taha Mandviwala, from London, Kentucky, are making things difficult by throwing every obstacle imaginable Hannay's way. With the simple switch of a hat or a coat, these two clowns can appear as more than 100 different people. 

“My favorite character to play is Mr. Macquarie,” Mandviwala said. “He’s this thousand year-old man who’s managing to hold on. You won’t miss him, I promise.”

The show calls for only four actors of “Olympian fitness” to portray all 33 speaking roles and more. “The 39 Steps” made its world premiere in 2005 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in North England. It was nominated at the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Direction of a Play. The show won the Drama Desk award for Unique Theatrical Experience.

“This production is pure fun,” said Slocum. “It’s nice to just invite the audience to sit back and have fun.”

"The 39 Steps" will be presented 7:30 p.m., Feb. 25-28, and 2 p.m., Feb. 28 and March 1, at the Guignol Theatre. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased by calling 859-257-4929, by visiting www.scfatickets.com, or in person at the ticket office.

The UK Department of Theatre and Dance at UK College of Fine Arts has played an active role in the performance scene in Central Kentucky for more than 100 years. Students in the program get hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship from a renowned professional theatre faculty. The liberal arts focus of their bachelor's degree program is coupled with ongoing career counseling to ensure a successful transition from campus to professional life.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu