Combining the magic of film and theatre, Alfred Hitchcock’s supreme comedy of suspense, North by Northwest will be presented live at the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre from 29 December 2018.
Declared ‘the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures’ by its screenwriter Ernest Lehman, the 1959 American spy thriller was an instant classic. Using 21st century stage technology, Hitchcock’s supreme suspense caper is brought to life, with every twist, every thrill, each pass of the crop-duster, and the thrilling climax on Mount Rushmore writ large on stage.
When Roger O. Thornhill, a suave and successful advertising executive, is abducted by thugs who insist he is a man called George Kaplan, there’s obviously been a mix up. When they don’t believe him, that’s infuriating. When they try to kill him, that’s frightening. And when they pin a murder on him, that’s time to run! From New York to North Dakota, Thornhill is chased by spies, the Feds and a glamorous, cool blonde.
Adapted for the stage by Carolyn Burns (Ladies in Black) and directed by Simon Phillips (Muriel’s Wedding, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Ladies in Black), North by Northwest sees Matt Day reprising his role as man on the run Roger O. Thornhill alongside Amber McMahon as femme fatale Eve Kendall.
They are joined on stage by a stellar cast featuring Jonny Pasvolsky (Vandaam), Abigail McKern (Mrs Thornhill), Christen O’Leary (Maggie), Leon Cain (Janitor), Roddy Peters (Bell Boy), Robert Menzies (The Professor), Nicholas Bell (Newsreader), Ezra Bix (Budnikov), Peter Houghton (Gruzinski), Tom Davey (Leonard) and Harrison Rose (understudy). Together this ensemble plays more than 30 roles in this highly acclaimed production.
“North by Northwest is an overwhelmingly entertaining take on a classic, delivered through a slick and stylish experience.” – Australian Arts Review
North by Northwest
Festival Theatre – Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Road, Adelaide
Season: 29 December 2018 – 20 January 2019
Bookings: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
For more information, visit: www.northbynorthwesttheplay.com for details.
Image: Amber McMahon and Matt Day star in North by Northwest – photo by Jeff Busby