Albuquerque Little Theatre brings The 39 Steps to Life

Running from April 19 to May 5, "The 39 Steps" is a perfect mix of campy comedy and excitement.

"The 39 Steps" is based on the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film by the same name. The story, set in 1930s Great Britain, follows Richard Hannay as he attempts to weed out foreign spies, evade the police, and protect Britain's air defense.

Directed by Henry Avery, Albuquerque Little Theatre's rendition was unique from other productions in it’s very limited casting.

While the production has upwards of 20 characters, the cast only consists of four actors. The lead, Richard Hannay, was played by Brian Schaeffer.

All of the love interests, Annabella Schmidt, Margaret, and Pamela, were played by Rachel Foster in various costumes.

All the other characters, including the main villain, his accomplices, and all background characters, were played by Zane Ivey and Rob Armstrong Martin under the character names of Clown 1 and Clown 2 respectively.

They switched between all of these roles through the use of different hats and jackets, as well as the occasional fake beard. This ingenious choice led to hilarious physical and situational comedy.

Aside from the limited cast, this production also distinguishes itself through its use of technology, allowing the show to “stay true to the essence of the original while adding a modern flair,” as Director Henry Avery said in his Director’s Note. This can especially be seen in the use of video recordings to tie together consecutive scenes that happen in separate locations. These recordings were voiced over in a radio broadcast style, helping them to retain the feel of the 1930s setting.

While these elements set it apart, the main focus of the show was the comedy. The actors perfectly portrayed this spy thriller parody, while also engaged in incredible physical comedy.