Review: The 39 Steps, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

The funniest thing you’ll see this summer

The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow, Theatre by the Lake

By Ken Powell

People still talk about the year Theatre by the Lake (TBTL) put on The 39 Steps long ago. It was the stuff of legends. The wait to see this production return is finally over. It’s different, but it is every bit as good.

Based on the Hitchcock version of the classic boy’s whodunnit by John Buchan, this version has been adapted by Patrick Barlow into a very physical – and hilarious – comedy. What might seem trite and unbelievable about the original story now becomes the play’s strength as four actors play a variety of roles and tell a ripping yarn if ever there was one, albeit it self-mockingly.

The production clearly benefits from Dave Hearn, the actor playing the lead role – the dashing hero, Richard Hannay. Hearn is a founding member of the Mischief Theatre, renowned for the various plays ‘that go wrong’ and has performed in many. These are classic physical slapstick farces in the great British tradition that make audiences gasp as much as laugh. Hearn is brilliant in his role as the unreasonably handsome hero and had several of us peeking through fingers with his death-defying antics up some step ladders. He is admirably and attractively aided by Olivia Onyehara playing the major female roles. If the pair of them don’t lose a few pounds during this production run I’d be astonished. I lost weight just watching them.

But the secret of Barlow’s adaptation rests on the two ‘clowns’. It is with this pair that the majority of the comedy is found and so getting the right chemistry is vital. Lucy Keirl and Niall Ransome do themselves proud here. They are extremely funny, there’s no two ways about it. The pairing is perfect and the two play off each other superbly. For me, Ransome was the funniest, but it was a close call. He could just stand there and pout and we’d all be laughing.

Unlike the previous time this play was shown, TBTL have put it ‘in the round’ rather than have the traditional stage at the front. For the most part this works well though one tier of audience will have to twist themselves round a couple of times to see what’s going on behind them. On the whole, having the actors in the middle of the audience gives a greater intimacy which aids the comedy. It also allows the audience to be more involved – which always makes for great comedy. Beware: no one is safe!

The timing on opening night wasn’t always perfectly on point but such teething issues will sort as the run continues. The actors’ ability to improvise and interact with the audience however more than made up for any slight slips. This is a show that’s just going to get funnier and funnier over the next few weeks as the team find their feet. Considering the minimalist nature of the production the sound and lighting team at TBTL are the unsung heroes here with considerably more carefully-timed involvement in the show than might normally be expected. I would hate to be up in that box hoping to press the right buttons; there’s split-second timing needed but on opening night it was perfect. Again, there’s more than just a tip of the hat to those ‘play that goes wrong’ productions here and this is sure to please those who love such zany humour. If nothing else, you can appreciate the sheer hard work that goes into all the chaos we see in front of us.

Overall, I’d be shocked and horrified if this isn’t another run-away success for TBTL. I doubt very much you’ll see anything funnier this summer. The production is excellent and the performance an absolute joy to watch. Go see it and take everyone with you.

The 39 Steps is showing at Theatre by the Lake until Saturday 2 September 2023. To find out more call the Box Office on 017687 74411 or visit www.theatrebythelake.com.