39 Steps, The (2008) Production Files

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Identifier: 39STEPS2008
Inclusive Dates: 2007 - 2008
Extent:
Production Files documenting the 2008 production of Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps at the American Airlines Theatre, which transfered from London's West End via the Huntington Theatre in Boston. The play is based on both the book by John Buchan and an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, and adapted by Patrick Barlow.  Directed by Maria Aitken, with set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Mic Pool, dialect coach Stephen Gabis, and original movement by Toby Sedgwick with additional movement by Christopher Bayes.

Four actors play all the roles in this production; Cliff Saunders as Man #1, Arnie Burton as Man #2, Charles Edwards as Richard Hannay and Jennifer Ferrin as Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret, with Claire Brownell, Cameron Folmar and Mark Shanahan as understudies.

2008 Awards for Roundabout's production:
Tony Award, Best Play (nominee)
Tony Award, Best Direction of a Play, Maria Aitken (nominee)
Tony Award, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Peter McKintosh (nominee)
Tony Award, Best Costume Design of a Play, Peter McKintosh (nominee)
Tony Award, Best Lighting Design of a Play, Kevin Adams (winner)
Tony Award, Best Sound Design of a Play, Mic Pool (winner)
Drama Desk, Outstanding Lighting Design, Kevin Adams (winner)
Drama Desk, Outstanding Sound Design, Mic Pool (nominee)
Drama Desk, Unique Theatrical Experience (winner)
The original manifestation of "The 39 Steps" was a 1915 novel by John Buchan.  The story revolves around Richard Hannay, an innocent man who learns too much about a dangerous spy ring and is pursued across Scotland before making a risky return to London to foil the villain's dastardly plans. In 1935, this novel was adapted into a now-classic film by Alfred Hitchcock, and Patrick Barlow's stage adaptation (based on a concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, where 4 actors play all of the roles) contains every legendary scene from the movie--a chase on the Flying Scotsman train, an escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged, and a sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium. 

Barlow's adaptation originally premiered in 2005 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse; in 2006 it moved to the Tricycle Theatre in London with Maria Aitken directing, and then later that year it transfered to the Criterion Theatre in London's West End.  It went on to win the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 2007.  The production had it's US premiere at the Huntington Theatre in Boston before moving to the American Airlines Theatre for its Broadway premiere.
Production Files are contained in one deep Hollinger box consisting of 15 folders, two Playbills, one ticket stub, and four marketing mailer flyers.

The digital holdings on the Archive 1 server include folders for:
Education (contains the online-only Upstage study guide)
Huntington Theater Set Design (contents of the cd found in the Set Design file; working set photos and drafting plans)
Media (includes mp4 and mp5 video of a performance, B-roll footage, mp3 interviews with Charles Edwards and Maria Aitken, and photographs and video from opening night, Out at Roundabout, and HIPTIX events)
Playbill (24 jpeg scans)
Production Photographs (captioned jpegs only)
Show Art (varsions of the poster and window card)

There is a related collection of marketing materials on the Marketing shelves. Contracts and visa applications have been removed and housed in the Contracts cabinets; these are confidential and access is restricted.  There is also a hard copy of the poster on the Poster shelves.  The Archive has one DVD copy of Hitchcock's 1935 film "The 39 Steps", which is stored in the Media collection.
Access Restrictions: Open and available to approved researchers by appointment only. See folder details for specific restrictions
Related Staged Production

39 Steps, The


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