Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 spy thriller classic is wonderfully brought to the stage by MTC. This version — adapted by Carolyn Burns and directed by Simon Phillips — is more comedy than thriller, though it has its suspenseful moments. Matt Day plays protagonist Roger O Thornhill — a smarmy advertising executive with just enough charm to keep you on side — who is abducted by thugs and set up to look like a criminal after a case of mistaken identity. As Thornhill tries to clear his name, he meets mysterious beauty Eve Kendall (Amber McMahon, all poise, power and flirtation) and things continue spiraling from there. Aside from the perfectly cast Day, the other 11 cast members each brilliantly play numerous characters, doubling as crew members moving props on and off stage with speed and precision, the flurry becoming part of the action.
North By Northwest’s strong performances, fast-paced tone, sharp lighting and sound, innovative set pieces and stunningly sleek set design are enough to make this a definite crowd-pleaser, but what really takes it to the next level is the incorporation of blue/green/red screens (visible on either side of the stage) and miniature models operated by crew members to recreate backdrops and scenes that are projected onto a large screen on stage. The Mount Rushmore setup is a particular highlight that had the audience applauding. All in all, the play makes for a terrifically entertaining night at the theatre.
