Hitchcock meets Monty Python

Annabella Schmidt couldn’t possibly know what would happen to her.

These days the folks at Magnus Theatre are getting set to present a classic Hitchcock thriller…in anything but his typically sophisticated chills-up-your-spine craft. No, this time it seems Hitch has been collaborating with his good friend, bet you didn’t know this, Monty Python.

Oh, The 39 Steps will still ring true to the nefarious nuances of a spy story set in 1935 London and Scotland. The audience will witness a virtual whirlwind of characters: 100 to be exact; but perhaps we’d be wise to give or take a few from that 100.

And some advice: it would be unwise to trust any of the actors. All four of them, barely able to contain their collective mirth, seemed all the more suspicious because of it when The Source met them during rehearsal one mysterious afternoon.

No, it would be silly to trust Alison Deon or Mark Crawford or Alex McCooeye or Martin Sims. Come to think of it, who knows if these are even close to their real names?  

A few smirks and giggles later, a gangly and decidedly nasty-looking Scot appeared from out of seemingly nowhere. You’re John McTyte, aren’t you? It was shocking to have his leering face so close to the microphone. “Aye,” he growled. “What’s this then, a glass of water? Where am I? I’m right here with ya.” Oh no, one thinks. “Ya ever bin to Alt Na Shellach?” Spittle at the corners of his mouth. And something about cows? One wants to back away as quickly as possible.

Suddenly a much more pleasant character emerges. Mrs. Jordan is indeed a welcome sight.

“What’s going on? Oh my dear, I think it’s quite clear,” she warbles. “What’s going on between you and I is we’re conducting an interview. Aren’t we?” Mrs. Jordan tilts her head inquisitively. “Are you from Alt Na Shellach?”

Looking around in a slight panic, one’s eyes land on a handsome man in a well-cut suit. Oh no, no relief here either. No, it doesn’t matter what my name is, who are you? “Well, my name is Richard and I’ve been living in London.” The British accent is delightful.

“I’ve been working now at various jobs, all sorts of things, you see.” Richard keeps smoothing his mustache as he prattles on about some stint in Canada and then a desalination project he was involved with in Africa. Cosmopolitan, one thinks.

“Lately, though, it’s been a little confusing. I’m back in London, not sure what to do.” Oh no, one thinks for no good reason one can name. Claiming boredom, Richard mentions wanting some adventure in life and so drops by the theatre. “Once I was there all sorts of strange things started to happen. Met this woman, very attractive; rather like you; what are you doing later? Have a husband? Boyfriend? You’re not answering. Hmm, all the women in my life are so very mysterious.”

Back to Annabelle Schmidt who, trust me, couldn’t possibly know what would happen to her. Audiences might discover, but only if they witness The 39 Steps, adapted from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock and revved up Monty Python style. Curtain rises at Magnus , Dec.1 through Dec.17. Whodunit you ask? Go find out.