After fancying us with a Chinese drama with "The Joy Luck Club", Repertory Philippines is yet again serving us another straight play. However, now Rep is giving us a frantic experience with a Hitchcock classic comedy-mystery "The 39 Steps".


Premise:

“ The 39 Steps ” follows a man with a boring life meets a mysterious foreign woman who says she's a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called "The 39 Steps" is hot on the man's trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, THE 39 STEPS amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure!

Based on 1915 World War I spy novel by Scottish author John Buchan and the 1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock, "The 39 Steps" is a fast-paced comical play played by only 4 actors. Other than being a spy-comedy, this show is one of a kind because it requires two of the actors to play at least a hundred of roles. Sounds crazy but it is true.



Michael Williams returns on stage as an actor after "Man of La Mancha" and "A Christmas Carol". Now he is playing the story's hero Richard Hannay who is on the run after being wrongly accused of murder. Playing his leading ladies is Liza Infante (Carousel, South Pacific) who returns to the Philippine theater scene after 10 years in London.


The good part of the show goes to Rem Zamora (Skin Deep) and Juliene Mendoza (A Journey in C Major). Playing a total of 146 characters, Rem and Juliene's versatility will be tested as they shift their acting styles to play roles of man, woman, child, allies, foes and even props. To make this possible, they are required to move very very quickly to change costumes, props and character which surprisingly adds to the comic of the show.

As the captain of the ship, Ana Abad Santos who is still captivating people with her excellent performance in "The Joy Luck Club" as Jing-Mei Woo assumes direction of this Hitchcock inspired masterpiece. Self confessed Hitchcock fan, Santos is thrilled to be back on the directing chair working with the finest talents in the Philippine theater industry.


Repertory Philippines promised us an action packed show that will definitely make us cry... in laughter. "The 39 Steps" will premiere on March 4 and will close in March 20 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. For tickets, inquiries and other information, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926 and 571-4941 or email info@repertory.ph. Tickets are also available at Ticketworld at 891-9999.