Constellation
Theatre does amazing work. However, The 39 Steps, while delivering
vibrant performances and a reasonable proportion of laughs, does not quite rise
to the level of theatre we expect from this company, largely due to an
inconsistent vision for this adaptation of a classic film to the stage.
Patrick
Barlow’s play — a long running success in both London and New York–adapts the
1935 Alfred Hitchcock adventure film, The 39 Steps,
Ladies and gentlemen, with your kind attention and permission, I have the honor of presenting to you…well, I don’t suppose I have the honor so much as the Fells Point Corner Theatre and The Collaborative Theatre have the honor of presenting a lovely little farcical play on Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. Adapted by Patrick Barlow to the stage in comedic fashion, and Directed by Anthony lane Hinkle, some two dozen characters grace the stage as four actors wittingly work their way through the dark and tangled plot of humorous proportions.