Melbourne Reviews

Photos – Jeff Busby

Hitting movie screens in 1959, North by Northwest is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time. With the legendary Alfred Hitchcock at the helm and an iconic score by Bernard Herrmann, the movie is one that is so well known, adapting it for the stage could be considered an exercise as treacherous as one of Roger Thornhill’s cliff hanging escapades.

The plot follows the aforementioned Roger Thornhill (played solidly by Matt Day) from his jumping off point as a wise-cracking, dutiful son, through to a classic case of mistaken identity, culminating in a cat and mouse chase across the country as he works to evade the enemy, clear his name, and land the lady. All padded in the suave stylings of the 1950s.

There are so many key scenes, shots and quintessential dialogue in the film that to attempt to migrate the film to stage and omit a vast deal of them would be a disrespectful disaster. On the other hand, as good as it is, this adaptation does beg the question; “Who’s the target audience?”

Who’s going to get most out of this stage version? People who already know and love the film? Or is it here to bring new audiences to the story? A story, mind you, that isn’t an old one. A good bit of mistaken identity as a jumping off point for a romping tale of danger and intrigue never hurt no one. And this MTC world premiere is an absolute testament to that. It is a ridiculous amount of fun. The cast are obviously having a marvellous time onstage throughout and it’s impossible not to jump in a car, ride on a train, and duck under a swooping plane with them. 

The tone, energy, dialogue, that wonderful, wonderful score, even fleeting characters in the film (little did Doris Singh know that her tiny turn as a Secretary – her one and only film role ever – would garner so much delight many years later when Sheridan Harbridge perfectly pays homage to her performance) were so carefully replicated for the stage… it’s pitch perfect.

And it’s this pitch perfect replication that’s also a potentially limiting factor for the stage play. Knowing the film, this particular audience member loved every minute of it. The nods to the staple Alfred Hitchcock cameo, familiar characterisations, and even the cinematography of the time were very clever. And potentially lost on those who aren’t familiar with the cinematic version. A little research afterwards confirmed the suspicion.

That aside, and as previously mentioned, this production is a genuinely fun ride. The stakes might be somewhat non-existent and Matt Hetherington’s slightly exaggerated characterisation is screaming for a softly purring white cat as a prop, but the show romps along at a great pace and the work is very masterful. Matt Day is tasked with taking a very well known character to the stage, and he’s really the only one who doesn’t mirror the same characterisation in the film. But then he can’t. No one’s ever going to expect him to emulate Cary Grant. That’s just cruel. As a result he’s incredibly watchable, as it’s one of the few “new” things in the stage version. It’s a tight piece that will really only firm up during the run, and the ensemble is to be commended. Fine work by all.

The use of the multi-media is incredibly inventive (I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who wasn’t deadly keen to see how they were going to manage “the plane bit”) and Simon Phillips and Nick Schlieper’s lighting and set design is a excellent. Functional, colourful, and everything you need it to be.

Director, Simon Phillips, has done a sterling job with this production, especially with the expectations that were/are there from the onset. In the musical theatre world films seemingly hit the stage far more often. It’s somewhat rarer in the theatre arena, with the flip being that stage plays graduate to film more frequently. Anyone who manages it this well deserves a knowing look, and a Hollywood slow clap.

It’s not without its flaws but the grandiose nature of the show, the energy, performances and “Pass me a Gibson” 1950s style grab you by the hand, and drag you excitedly along for the ride. It’s ever such a blast.


Melbourne Theatre Company presents 
North by Northwest
Adapted by Carolyn Burns

Directed by Simon Phillips

Venue: Arts Centre – Playhouse
Dates: 1 – 20 June, 2015
Bookings: 03 8688 0800 | www.mtc.com.au