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A fast-paced and funny adaptation of a classic thriller will see “spies, secrets and split-second costume changes” coming to the historic Village Theatre in downtown Danville throughout the month.
Sixth Line Studios and the Danville town government are presenting “The 39 Steps, Abridged” for their first collaborative production, a unique blend of Alfred Hitchcock and Monty Python overtones heightened by just four actors playing more than 100 characters combined.
“This production is a Hitchcock thriller/spy story turned slapstick comedy for the stage,” producing artistic director Katie Rubin told DanvilleSanRamon on Monday.
“Audiences can expect to laugh, to be on the edge of their seats, and to have surprisingly fun and new experiences while watching this action-packed wild ride of a comedy. They can look forward to four actors playing dozens of roles in a playfully quick-witted way,” Rubin added.
“The 39 Steps”, an international espionage thriller set in Britain, was made famous by film director Hitchcock in 1935 – adapted from the 1915 spy novel of the same name by Scottish writer and diplomat John Buchan. Playwright Patrick Barlow reimagined the tale as mystery meets comedy for the modern age with his 2005 stage adaptation.
The marriage of genres made Barlow’s abridged version – “a fast, funny, short, easy watch for a wide swath of audiences” – the perfect choice for the debut production in Sixth Line Studios’ new partnership with the town, according to Rubin.
“We also wanted to bring entertainment and fun to our audience at a time when the bigger picture of our world is often much heavier and darker than any of us would prefer,” she said.
The Danville play stars actors Teddy Spencer, Danny Georgiev, Ashley Garlick and Jackson Goldberg.
Town officials noted that the venue itself adds to the feel and fun of the production, since the Village Theatre had solidified its early reputation as a go-to destination for special events and film screenings by the time the Hitchcock movie was released.
“The 39 Steps: Abridged” opens this Friday (March 6) and continues with 15 more shows through March 29. An opening night reception from 6-7 p.m. is set to feature live jazz music, complimentary small bites and beer and wine for purchase.
The production is best suited for ages 12 and up, town officials said. For tickets and more information, go to danville.ca.gov/tickets.
