REVIEW: North By Northwest at the Everyman Theatre

Cheltenham

I didn't know what to expect as I've never seen the original film and only new it by title.  I was aware it was based on cold war espionage but not a straight historic dramatic thriller and this theatrical production from Wise Children and adapted and directed by Emma Rice, was indeed quite silly!

 

 

"It would be strange if, in a city of seven million people, one man were never mistaken for another..." this in the opening montage of a very clever set design, is how Roger Thornhill, played by Ewan Wardrop, gets mistaken for another mystery man. Six actors take on various convincing roles throughout which sometimes appeared very panto, so if that is the intention it worked very well. The Professor, Katy Owen, as the narrator kept us all clued up as to what was going on, a very strong role, holding their own when playing it straight, talking to the audience or changing into another character and we certainly felt very safe in her hands. Overall it was a mix of fun and intrigue, with a great 50s soundtrack, costume and dance style giving the sense of the era, although some of the dancing could have been cut shorter in our opinion (and I like dancing!)

 

 

As mentioned, the set was very well designed to become a variety of scenes from revolving hotel doors, to lift, to train carriage diner and so on, which also allowed the actors to move it themselves between and during scenes. I wondered how the 'closet' of suits and suitcases would be used as it gave a formal, dark (in both senses) background, then cleverly and often humorously included during scenes especially the final mountain.

 

 

We enjoyed the second half more, possibly from better understanding the concept, knowing the characters and getting into the story set up in the first half. The backstage crew, who came out for a rare and well deserved applause, likely did much more than we saw as usual but they managed props for the actors and in scenes, the funniest of which were the 'shower' and Mount Rushmore.  These iconic references to the original kept the flavour in its own theatrical way and the audience greatly appreciated them with many laughs and applause along the way.

On tour until 22nd June 2025... Catch it if you can!

Review by Tracy

 

For More Information & Tickets Click HERE

 

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