Writer: Patrick Barlow
Director: Rob Mackean
Arkle Theatre Company return to the Fringe with this celebrated John Buchan thriller which was also a hit film by Alfred Hitchcock that featured John Laurie of Dad’s Army fame.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Richard Hannay is kicking his heels in London when a mysterious woman appears at his flat and is later murdered there, but not before she’s provided the seeds of an international intrigue.
Hannay becomes the prime suspect and sets off on a wild adventure, both in an attempt to evade the authorities and to find out the truth and clear his name. We’re into classic Hitchcock ‘wrong man’ territory and this is a jolly entertaining romp.
Steven Bradley Croall gives a star turn as Hannay, equipped with pipe and tweed jacket as well as a penchant for derring-do. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and neither do we, but he’d rather not spend the rest of his life in the slammer for a crime he didn’t commit, thank you very much.
There’s much doubling up of parts, which provides further laughs, an inn-keeper’s wife wearing a wig and a dark beard, for example. Hannah Bradley Croall has fun with three parts – the mysterious Germanic Anabella, lovelorn crofter’s wife Margaret and priggish love interest Pamela. The production offers plenty of sight gags too; a hand appears from the wings, from which dangles the cord of a light switch.
All in all this is a brisk walk-through of key scenes from a much-loved story. It’s a bit shouty in places and there’s a tad too much generic running about, but the story is delivered with energy and enthusiasm. The generous space in the Royal Scots Club theatre – stage, forestage and two handy sets of doors for entrances and exits – is used to good effect. The timings are faultless, which matters a great deal with comedy of this kind. If you’ve spent the day having your intellect stretched and your world view challenged, this early evening confection will convey you swiftly to the land of sheer entertainment.
Runs until 16 August 2025 | Image: Rob Shields
