Tag Archives: Patrick Barlow

Writer: Patrick Barlow From an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon Director: Chris Jordan Designer: Julie Godfrey Reviewer: Ron Simpson In 1995 Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon of the small-scale theatre group, North Country Theatre, came up with a unique take on the classic adventure tale, The 39 Steps.  Audiences in North Yorkshire, very often in village halls, ...

Writer: Patrick Barlow Director: Joseph O’Malley Reviewer: Scott Matthewman The creative history of this comedic production of The 39 Stepsis an interesting one. This parody of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film – itself a loose adaptation of John Buchan’s novel, published some 20 years earlier – first saw fruit in a version by Simon Corbie and Nobby Dimon, who retold the ...

Writer and director: Patrick Barlow Reviewer: Stephen Bates A recording of Ernest Gold’s theme from the film Exodus features prominently before the lights dim for the beginning of Patrick Barlow’s production of his own play The Messiah. Perhaps this should be taken as a subliminal cue to audiences to heed the music’s title and make their ways out before discovering ...

Writer and Director: Patrick Barlow Reviewer: James Garrington Which is worse – Maurice Rose’s writing, or Ronald Bream’s acting? It’s hard to say – but when the two combine it leads to a version of the Christmas story that is a long way from the normal seasonal presentation. Maurice Rose (Hugh Dennis) is the founder, scriptwriter and leading light of The Maurice ...

Writer: Patrick Barlow Adapted from Alfred Hitchcock’s film Director: Paul Robinson Designer: Helen Coyston Reviewer: Ron Simpson It’s good to see The 39 Steps back in North Yorkshire, in a production full of zip and imagination. Just over 20 years ago Richmond-based North Country Theatre toured Nobby Dimon and Simon Corble’s version for just four actors to huge success. Then ...

Writer: Patrick Barlow from the book by John Buchan Director: Adam Lacey Reviewer: Selwyn Knight John Buchan’s book, The Thirty-Nine Steps was a trailblazer in many ways – Buchan described it as his first “shocker”, in which the events, twists and turns are barely believable, and it set the standard for the “man on the run” plotline. The hero, Richard ...

Writer: John Buchan Adapted by: Patrick Barlow Director: Maria Aitken Reviewer: Iain Sykes Since its first publication just over a century ago, John Buchan’s adventure spy novel, The 39 Steps, has not only formed the basis for several films but also this spoof stage production which is itself celebrating over a decade in the spotlight. Adapted by Patrick Barlow but ...

Book: John Buchan Adaptor: Patrick Barlow Director: Maria Aitken Reviewer:Jaclyn Martin   “What are the 39 steps?” – this is the question our hero, Richard Hanney, spends the play trying to answer. After a mysterious woman gets stabbed in the back in his West End apartment, Hanney finds himself embroiled in a dizzying journey to exonerate himself from murder. It ...