By TR Robertson
Adapter and Director Emma Rice said in an interview in “Performances Magazine”, “North By Northwest” has made me think in new ways and write in new ways. Has she ever done this in The Old Globe’s presentation of her adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s “North By Northwest. Enjoying a successful run in the United Kingdom, starting at York Theatre Royal, this new version launches the production’s North American tour. From the reaction of the sold-out audience in the Globe’s Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, the adaptation will be a success in the United States as well.
This unique adaptation is both a spy thriller, a mystery, a drama, a comedy, and a musical. Calling it a musical is a bit of a stretch, as the performers lip-sync to 50s-style music, but it is hilarious during the performance. “North By Northwest” was originally a 1959 movie, written and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, with a screenplay by Ernest Lehman. This movie was sandwiched between Hitchcock’s successful 1958 “Vertigo” and the 1960 “Psycho”. It was a 100% spy thriller, mystery drama with a little romance on the side, starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint. Rice’s 2025 stage adaptation added a series of twists and turns, creating a very humorous spy thriller and adding visual assistance to a new audience, many seeing the story for the first time, while also adding a fast-paced storyline with a splash of music thrown in. The result is a “keep you on the edge of your seat” performance. Another exciting feature for the audience and the Globe performance is that five of the seven actors were part of the UK Tour performances, all reprising their roles in the States.
The play’s premise remains the same as the movie’s. A New York advertising executive, Roger Thornhill, is mistaken for someone named George Kaplan. This simple beginning results in his being kidnapped and taken to the estate of Lester Townsend. Thornhill thinks the man he meets is Townsend, when in reality he is Phillip Vandemme, a ruthless man. Thornhill escapes during a car accident. He later finds out about a plot to kill the United Nations diplomat named Lester Townsend. A series of diversions occur, and Thornhill ends up at the Plaza Hotel, as he tries to track down who George Kaplan is. Townsend is at the hotel and is killed, Thornhill mistakenly picks up the knife that had been used by one of the kidnappers to kill Townsend. This is the beginning of a wild goose chase that will take Thornhill from New York on a train to Chicago, more hotels, an airport and trip to South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore. Along the way Thornhill will meet Eve Kendall, is she good or is she bad? Oh, by the way, all of this is helped by someone referred to as The Professor, who is both narrator and storyteller and CIA agent. The Professor not only is part of the story but is integral in helping the audience follow what is going on both on stage and in the story.
This clever, unique format is made even better with a comedic flare, a fast-paced story line, unique dance routines, some intense lip-synching performances and all with tremendous physical comedy and agility, all leading to an immediate standing ovation as the final scene ended. Another classic addition was the stage setting, consisting of a series of four very large revolving doors or panels that were moved by the performers on stage, becoming offices, a bar, hotel rooms, an airport, rooms of houses, train bedrooms, and more. At times the performers would become part of the props, such as a table holding a phone. Wait until you see how the four U.S. Presidents on Mt. Rushmore is created as well as the top of one of the President’s heads.
Danny Collins, as Roger Thornhill, has to be exhausted at the end of the play with all the running he does. He is funny and brilliant as a man searching for how to get out of the mess around him. He has great facial expressions and some enterprising dance moves. The Professor’s role is performed by Katy Owen, who is reprising the role she performed in the UK. She is extremely articulate and demonstrative in leading the audience through this moderately complicated story line. Some of the memorable moments occur when she quizzes the audience on keeping up with who is in the play. She also pulls off some great banter with the audience. At times she even joins the other performers in some dance routines. The Professor also points out that various signs posted on suitcases will let the audience know where the scene is taking place.
Patrycja Kujawska for the most part is on stage as Eve Kendall, initially involved with Phillip Vandamm, later becoming romantically involved with Roger. Patrycja was also part of the UK Tour of the play. She is clever as she leads the audience through believing she is at first simply emotionally playing with Roger, then willing to risk all for him. Karl Queensborough also reprises his role as Phillip Vandamm from the UK Tour. The mysterious Vandamm is the cause of Roger’s dilemma and Karl has the perfect demeanor for the role. He also plays Roger’s overbearing mother for a few scenes and brings out a roaring laugh and applause from the audience when he steps on stage as Mrs. Thornhill.
The remaining cast members include Evangeline Dickson as Mrs. Townsend, Simon Oskarsson as Valerian and Others and Bryony Pennington as Anna and Others. Along with playing the part of Vandamm’s cohorts, they also pop in and out in other roles as well as at times becoming part of the props. At one point they were spotlights, using flashlights, highlighting Roger and Eve. You will roar when you see their role in the famous bi-plane scene that Roger has to run from. Simon and Evangeline were also part of the UK Tour of the play.
The play were a number of technical features along with lighting changes. This was so appreciated the Creative Team was brought out on stage at the end to be part of receiving the standing ovation. The Creative Team assisting director Emma Rice included Scenic and Costume Designer Rob Howell, Composer and Sound Designer Simon Baker, Lighting Designer Malcolm Rippeth, Movement Director and Choreographer and Intimacy Coordinator Etta Murfitt, Creative Consultant Mark Kaufman, Fight Director Kev McCurdy, Company Stage Manager Helen Lainsbury and Stage Manager Zoe Mackinnon.
“North By Northwest” will be on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre through August 2. Tickets are available at 619-234-5623 or go to www.theoldglobe.org.
