The 39 Steps
at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

Reviewed on November 13, 2015

Gillian Wright
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

Show gone haywire, energy-charged characters, slapstick elements, make for dynamic Noises Off at Albert Einstein High School. It all began with a bang. As the gunshot rang out over the theater, a mysterious and stunningly attractive young woman leapt into his arms and they made their expeditious escape. Who were these people and what was going on? St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's production of "The 39 Steps" was dramatic, fast-paced, and ever so elusive.

Based on Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 thriller of the same title, "The 39 Steps" follows a few days in the life of Englishman Richard Hannay. Typically a somewhat dreary man, Hannay briefly encounters the beautiful Annabella Schmidt in a concert hall. Schmidt begs to come to Hannay's flat and is then killed by her pursuers, who she reveals with her last breaths are part of a spy network called The 39 Steps. Determined to finish Schmidt's work and escape suspicion in her death, Hannay embarks on a perilous journey to Alt Na Shellach, the residence of the network's kingpin. Hitchcock's film was based on John Buchan's 1915 novel, and both served as inspiration for Patrick Barlow's stage adaptation of "The 39 Steps," which was first performed in 2007 and won two Tony awards.

Starring as Richard Hannay, Jack Dewhurst epitomized an average man whose world has been turned upside down. To each exciting plot development, Dewhurst displayed appropriate emotional reaction, but most endearing was his relationship with Pamela (Helen Cunningham), an equally commonplace woman who becomes entangled in this complex plot. Cunningham initially showed no warmth toward Dewhurst, but as they encountered and conquered situation upon confounding situation together, an amicable and hesitantly romantic bond grew between the two.

Annabella Schmidt (Bobbie Benjamin) initiated the evening's action and, though her time on stage was limited, her performance was among the most memorable of the night. Melodramatic characterization and hyperbolic physicality made her consistently entertaining as she dramatically hid from her pursuers and bounded into Hannay's flat. Her exaggerated, drawn out death drew peals of laughter from the audience as she went through several cycles of collapsing, uttering a few pained words, falling still, and then reviving herself to declare another dying statement.

Of the many smaller roles, standouts included Mr. and Mrs. McGarrigle (Sam Stevens and Nancy Brooks). Though accurate accents proved difficult for several performers, the Scottish couple's accents were well-executed and thoroughly amusing. Opposite in temperament, the Professor (Christian Corpening), was collected yet intimidating, as Hannay realized the man Schmidt had been after all was, in fact, the murderous leader of The 39 Steps.

Detailed technical elements benefited the production immensely. Each performer was styled with hair, makeup, and clothing appropriate to the 1930s time period. A multi-level set complete with a moving platform drew attention around the stage and was fitting for each of the many settings through which the characters traveled. Microphones were used flawlessly and comical sound effects were frequently employed, making the larger-than-life story all the more believable.

Richard Hannay's abrupt evening with Annabella Schmidt changed his life completely. Though he had to endure several days running from the police, the people he met eventually added immeasurable joy to his life in an adventure he would always remember. St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's production of "The 39 Steps" proves that a night out at the theatre may be unpredictable, but it will never be a bad decision.

Sacha Cameron
Annandale High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

"Alt – na – Shellach!" And with a bang and a crash and a flash of light, Richard Hannay's whirlwind of a journey began in St. Stephen and Agnes School's production of The 39 Steps.

Based upon the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock, The 39 Steps is a melodrama following the seemingly ordinary Richard Hannay (Jack Dewhurst). After meeting the mysterious and sensual Annabella Schmidt (Bobbie Benjamin), Hannay finds himself dragged into the middle of a dangerous ring of spies. Schmidt is killed, sending Hannay on the run from the police in his search for Alt – na – Shellach and the answer to the question: what are the 39 steps?

The show featured a strong ensemble of actors who played multiple characters, sometimes switching roles in the middle of the scene. Among the many cameo characters featured throughout, Mr. and Mrs. McGarrigle, played by Sam Stevens and Nancy Brooks respectively, stood out as a powerful comedic duo. The performance of Bobbie Benjamin as Annabella Schmidt earned plenty of laughter as well and she died dramatically. Actors displayed a wide variety of accents, often with great success, though at times these dialects obscured dialogue.

Hannay worked well to center the story as the straight-man among the colorful and over-exaggerated supporting characters. The evolution of his relationship with Pamela (Helen Cunningham), from their first meeting on the train to their adventures while handcuffed to each other, to their eventual happy ending together, filled the show with funny banter and a hint of romance. Though some jokes throughout the show seemed to be over-played, in general the production portrayed a good-nature, cartoonish comedy.

An interesting addition to the show was the use of Foley sound effects produced by a member of the cast on the stage. The Foley in conjunction with recorded sound effects and student-produced music, composed by Katie Henshaw and Dokken Shapero, added many layers. The student-produced music provided a comedic backing to romance scenes between Hannay and Pamela especially.

The set, consisting of a large set of towers and a retractable stage, struck an impressive presence on the stage. Use of screens and projections to create backdrops kept with the ambiance of an old film. Scene transitions were aided adeptly by the stage crew as well as the actors. The set crew could be seen using a hand-made crank to move the smaller stage into position. The visual of them together with the lighting and smoke added to the old-school feel of the show. The lighting deftly added to the ambiance of each scene, changing to reflect everything from a dimly-lit dance to the Scottish moors and sunny train rides.

This feel-good play with its vibrant characters and silly sound effects made for an entertaining tale of unlikely spies, mysterious houses, and plots for murder. The cast and crew of St. Stephen and Agnes School's production of The 39 Steps could inspire anyone to want to be a spy too.

Lydia Gompper
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Alex

Mystery, secrecy, a dash of romance - who doesn't love a good old-fashioned spy story?

"The 39 Steps," written by Patrick Barlow as an adaptation of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name, has arrived on the St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School stage. Utilizing a melodramatic, pleasantly corny style, the play tells the tale of a tired, unhappy man named Richard Hannay who is swept into a new world of adventure after a spy named Annabella Schmidt is murdered in his home. On the run from authorities who believe him to be her killer, Hannay travels throughout the United Kingdom, encountering both danger and romance as he searches for answers which could save his country from destruction. "The 39 Steps" opened in 2005 in the UK before coming to Broadway in 2008, garnering two Tony Awards and four nominations, including Best Play.

The students of St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School have created an excellent production. With outstanding set design, lighting, and sound, and a strong set of on-stage performers, the show was a joy to watch. Although it was occasionally difficult to understand actors' various European accents, the performance was generally quick-paced, charming, and genuinely fun.

Leading man Jack Dewhurst was delightfully normal as Richard Hannay, the straight man to the oddity that surrounded him. He possessed a wry, endearingly sarcastic humor that contrasted nicely with the energetic, vaudevillian comedy of his fellow performers. A steady presence throughout the show, Dewhurst was well suited to his weighty role.

"The 39 Steps" also boasted many skilled comedic performers, such as Bobbie Benjamin as the seductive secret agent Annabella Schmidt, Nicki Gray as the ingenious Mr. Memory, and Sam Stevens and Nancy Brooks as the Scottish innkeepers Mr. and Mrs. McGarrigle. Benjamin's exaggerated style and accent were certainly entertaining. She shined during her death scene, in which she would repeatedly revive herself to give Richard a piece of vital information, before collapsing once more. Meanwhile, Gray as Mr. Memory, was wonderfully loopy in her role as a performer with an outstanding knack for memorizing and delivering incredibly obscure facts. Brooks stood out as the feisty, matronly hostess Mrs. McGarrigle, with Stevens eliciting chuckles as her obedient simpleton of a husband. Brooks also possessed one of the most well-developed accents of the night, her Scottish brogue unwavering.

While the onstage performers were impressive, this production's "wow" factor lay in its scenic design and lighting. The set, devised by Eric Karsten, Nicki Gray, and Katie Henshaw, was both beautiful and functional. Although simple, containing just an overhead walkway and a small, pull-out stage, it was well-made, and the style perfectly matched the 1930's aesthetic. To change the background between scenes, a series of lovely, painted drop curtains would rise and fall, allowing the story to move throughout an entire country without ever forcing a major set change. The small stage was pulled in and out by a student-made crank system, an idea that was both interesting and perfectly executed, allowing for very quick transitions between scenes. The lighting was painstakingly designed by Eric Karsten, with over 300 cues throughout the performance. It was effective both at creating mood and noticeable effects, especially during romantic moments and when it flashed red, blue, and white to signify the arrival of police officers.

"The 39 Steps" was an intriguing, engaging production. With both a skilled cast and a host of dedicated, talented backstage operators, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School produced something lively and truly enjoyable, holding their audience in a constant state of, "What's going to happen next?"

Jack Posey
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

The Stage One Players at the St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School took their audience on a wild ride across the European countryside in a comedic mystery adventure with their polished production of The 39 Steps.

The play version of The 39 Steps, adapted from the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, was written by Patrick Barlow in 2005, and is markedly more comedic than its source material. The play follows protagonist Richard Hannay on a chase through London and the Scottish Highlands in hopes of exposing a secret plot of espionage against the British military with assassins and policemen hot on his heels.

The Stage One Players' production was very aesthetically pleasing. The set was comprised of a central frame resembling that of a Vaudeville stage with a roll-out stage platform (operated by a diligent duo on a large crank at the back of the stage) flanked on either side by wooden scaffolding and with a wooden balcony overhead. Two layers of projection screens were used for visual effects and backdrops, and accessory set pieces (such as roll-on doors and crates) would be brought in like clockwork by the show's ensemble cast in fluid, eye-catching scene changes. The swiftness of such scene changes provided refreshing bursts of energy that helped counteract the tendency of scenes to drag occasionally.

Jack Dewhurst was a likable every-man as Richard Hannay, providing an effective foil to the many caricatures of Germans, Brits, and Scots to be found throughout the show. His romantic follies made for some snappy comedic moments. One scene of budding affection between Hannay and reluctant partner-in-crime Pamela (a poised Helen Cunningham) drew spirited laughs from the audience when enchanting mood lighting and swelling, cinematic music (composed by students Katie Henshaw and Dokken Shapero) was abruptly pulled away upon Pamela's admission of an obtuse oversight.

Bobbie Benjamin committed strongly to her melodramatic character, German spy Annabella Schmidt, carrying herself like a noir femme fatale and drawing out her theatrical, over-the-top death to great comedic effect. Sam Stevens and Nancy Brooks acted out accurate caricatures of Scottish Highlanders as innkeepers Mr. and Mrs. McGarrigle. While other actors struggled to maintain consistent and authentic accents, Stevens and Brooks excelled, playing up their Scottish brogues to much success. Nicki Gray played a vital role in the production as theatrical performer Mr.Memory, the undefeated master of trivia. Gray delivered a strongly stylized, Vaudevillian physical presence while onstage, but the true importance of her role was found in the wing, in which she executed a wide array of perfectly-timed sound effects to punctuate scenes in the style of a 1930's radio show. Finally, the show's ensemble carried themselves with lively energy, most notably in a standout swing-dance sequence in which the dancers started and stopped their partying with sharp timing upon the opening and closing of a door.

The 39 Steps at the St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School was a smooth ride from start to finish.

Rebecca Goodhart
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

The St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School took the familiar tale of a man-turned-spy and presented it as an enticing story where an ordinary person found himself to be the key in unraveling an extraordinary conspiracy. The 39 Steps demonstrated that being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be all it takes to unravel one's life.

A 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film transformed by Patrick Barlow into a comedic melodrama, the play follows the journey of Richard Hannay as he finds himself drawn into a world where death and deceit surround an enigma called The 39 Steps. With police pursuing him and a murder hanging over his head, Hannay is quickly forced to adapt to the world of spies, and to keep his romantic life together while doing so.

Sound effects and atmospheric lighting were strategically implemented in order to transform the stage into a representation of the British Isles of the 1900s. Some of the more amusing sounds (e.g. an actress saying "glub glub glub" from the side of the stage) kept the audience entertained and engaged. The clever use of a rolling stage during indoor scenes prevented the cast from being dwarfed by space not utilized for moments when the action was more contained.

Richard Hannay (Jack Dewhurst) served as a foil to the action itself, as Dewhurst's unassuming persona managed to bumble through perilous situations much like an ordinary person would bumble through a particularly stressful day. Dewhurst's witty exchanges with Pamela (Helen Cunningham) provided some of the most memorable interactions of the show. Both characters clearly demonstrated their initial dislike for each other through stiff body language and bitter sarcasm that became less apparent as their relationship developed.

With passionate gestures and vehement speeches, Christian Corpening's portrayal of the villainous Professor convincingly conveyed the intensity of his emotions and desires. His tone switched from enigmatic to furious at a moment's notice, allowing the character's powerful personality to shine throughout his performance. Many characters had thick accents from various parts of Europe, and although this led to some dialogue being unintentionally difficult to decipher, the majority of the cast remained understandable.

Some of the sound effects were provided live by cast members in a visible sound booth, which was reminiscent of old radio shows and created an old-time atmosphere. Impeccably timed changes in lighting allowed scenes to move quickly without messy transitions, and the management of the rolling stage was no problem for the fast-moving actors.

The 1930s may not be the most familiar time period to those involved in this play, but this did not stop them from creating a 1930s of their own imagining where high energy levels and crafty technical work embodied the action-packed atmosphere of a spy story.

Amanda Johnson
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to The Voice

The show opens with a chaotic mob of animated, larger-than-life characters rushing the stage, immediately indicating the energetic and fun tone of the rest of St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's performance to come.

The 39 Steps is a hilarious melodrama based on James Buchan's 1935 novel and Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film, both of the same title. The original play starring just four actors had its initial run in England, lasting on the West End for a whopping nine years, though it eventually gained traction in the United States as well, even running on Broadway for two years. The show tells the thrilling story of a visitor to London named Richard Hannay. After meeting and agreeing to help hide a enigmatic woman named Annabella Schmidt in his flat, she is suddenly killed by a couple of secret agents. Afraid that he will be prosecuted for the girl's murder, Hannay goes on the run from the police in an effort to get to the bottom of the mysterious spy ring and, in return, prove his innocence.

Despite not having the classic four-person cast, the entire ensemble was incredibly talented as a whole, staying focused and in-character even when the spotlight was not fixated on them. From a couple of sociable Scottish innkeepers (Sam Stevens and Nancy Brooks) to sinister secret agents (Lily Smith and Ben Johnson), nearly every character was able to remain in-the-moment and thus anchor the story.

The lead role of Richard Hannay was performed by the talented Jack Dewhurst, who was able to efficiently meet the difficult-to-manage needs of playing such a pivotal, major character. Though he was on stage for the majority of the show, even opening and closing it, Dewhurst seemed to have an unlimited supply of energy and skill.

Some of the best roles, however, were the majority of the general ensemble of minor characters. A few of the many shining stars included Nicki Gray as the theatrical Mr. Memory, Bobbie Benjamin as the mysterious Annabella Schmidt, and Nancy Brooks as the gullible milkman.

One of the ultimate stand-out elements of The 39 Steps besides the talented cast was the impressive set by Eric Karsten, Nicki Gray, and Katie Henshaw that included impressive scaffolding that formed a smaller proscenium arch and a rolling platform that formed a smaller stage, both of which made the performance seem more intimate and personal. Another remarkable technical aspect was the sound effects by Katie Henshaw, Dokken Shapero, and William Moore that would either assist beautifully in setting the scene, or add an extra layer of hilarity to even some of the tiniest actions performed by the actors.

Overall, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's performance of The 39 Steps was an incredible feat pulled off with grace and hilarity, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats both to hear the next joke and to find out the truth behind the play's mystery.