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Hannay stands fast. Malvern Theatres Forum **** Our Star Theatre company brings you this amusing production of Hannay stands fast, the sequel to John Buchan’s The 39 Steps, adapted by David Edgar, with four players playing all 53 characters, as with its predecessor. The brash and incorrigible Richard Hannay, played admirably by George Cooper, is engaged in a mission with MI5 which involves him making his way down to Cornwall to infiltrate a secret organisation and thwart their dastardly plan. As in the original 39 Steps the play opens with a monologue from Hannay about his boring and meaningless life. With his usual impetuosity, Hannay endeavours to save the day, meeting on his journey Mary Lamington, played beautifully by Angharad Mortimer. On his train journey he is also met by two MI5 agents (who also play the two clowns) who say that he is just the man for a mission to find the notorious Mr X. Mary Lamington and Hannay are instantly attracted to each other, but, unfortunately, she has a fiancé called Moxom Ivory. Mary offers to show Hannay around the village of Polferrow introducing him to the quirky villagers (played by the two clowns) and also to her fiancé Moxom. He immediately insists on inviting Hannay to a village meeting where (as in 39 Steps) he suddenly finds he is a guest speaker. Unfortunately, at this meeting, another guest speaker is mysteriously shot and .... yes, you’ve guessed it …. Hannay is now wanted for murder. Even the lovely Mary who was smitten with him now suspects he is a murderer. The two clowns brilliantly portray a variety of quirky characters, who then appear on the scene, many if them in pursuit of Hannay. Ben Mowbray, first clown is also the company director, and Daniel Davis plays the second clown. A chaotic and often farcical chain of events follows but our intrepid hero, as expected comes out smelling of roses. We are swept along by the action, with swift scene changes and excellent use of physical theatre, as the cast become various vehicles, police cars, an ambulance and even a horse. The scenery is minimal consisting of trunks ladders and suitcases, and costume changes are swift and simple but effective. Deliciously funny, this stunning play runs to Wednesday 19th March. Jane Lush 18-03-25 |
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