Sébastien Heins, Isaiah Kolundzic, Kiana Woo and Georgia Findlay in The 39 Steps | Photo by Raph Nogal
I should check out more of Hitchcock’s early British oeuvre. I’m not familiar with his film or the John Buchan source novel this is based on, but that hardly matters. The genre tropes speak for themselves and the whole of this suspense-farce-parody-tribute is affectionately milking them for all they’re worth! The 39 Steps, presented by Guild Festival Theatre, is a playful pastiche adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed with relentless comic impact by Tyler J. Seguin.
Richard Hannay (Sébastien Heins) is your average, proper gentleman who finds himself on the run for the murder of a German spy, Annabella (Georgia Findlay) who has been suddenly found with a knife in her back. Cursed, of course, by his adorable brown eyes and attractive pencil moustache marking him wherever he goes, he’s off to Scotland to seek out the 39 Steps while a Nazi criminal mastermind and some bumbling police officers chase him through the Highlands. Along the way, he has absurd encounters with an assortment of local oddballs represented by clowns Isaiah Kolundzic and Kiana Woo.
There are several masterful episodes where Kolundzic and Woo pivot back and forth between characters with rapid-fire, hilarious momentum. Throughout, the mechanics of performance are themselves a worthy punchline, but nobody here is content to just be silly—the meta-theatrical horseplay is, not just goofy, but narratively compelling. Of their many great gags, I’m very fond of the bit where they keep re-appearing as trench-coated and smoking henchmen complete with their own lamppost which they bring with them! Classic.
Heins’ expressive face, often baffled, is the focal point around which the company’s masterful antics swirl. He’s such a dashing presence, I couldn’t help but swoon. He’s met his match in Findlay, whose three roles—femme fatale Annabella, yearning housewife Margaret and resentful captive Pamela—allow her to flex her comedic chops as distinct, all equally alluring scene partners. Riffing on film noir archetypes with a giddy nudge and wink, they keeping us invested in their characters even while the reality of the scenario is tearing at the seams.
In his direction, Seguin allows for plenty of meta-theatrical business, but always ensures the hokey antics serve the story. There are so many campy disguises and we feel swept up in a whirlwind of locations and eccentric supporting characters. Much fun is had watching how they accomplish each spectacular scenario. There is infectious vaudevillian panache in all the scampering about amidst puffs of billowing smoke and flapping jackets! One of my favourite recurring gags is the wooden frame that gets tilted and tossed about as an escape window. Brilliant.
Never wasting a moment and filling every corner of the outdoor stage, this is a funny and exhilarating romp, with clever little nods at both theatrical and Hitchcockian conventions. I love farce. I love all the in and out, round about, slinking and shouting, tumbling and splat! The 39 Steps has all the things and is always a step ahead of you with some clever trick up its sleeve whenever you think you’ve got it pegged.
The 39 Steps
running July 17 to August 3, 2025
The Greek Theatre, Guild Park & Gardens
(201 Guildwood Parkway)
running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes (with sort of an intermission)
Sébastien Heins and Georgia Findlay in The 39 Steps | Photo by Raph Nogal