I was really looking forward to seeing how the talented and inventive Emma Rice and her British company (A.C.T.’s “Brief Encounter,” Berkeley Rep’s “Wuthering Heights,” “The Wild Bride,” “Tristan & Yseult”) would treat one of Hitchcock’s greatest films. Known for taking a recognized story and turning it on its head, Emma Rice typically uses actors playing multiple roles, delightful stage techniques, wonderful songs and dancing, inventive sets and props, and a dash of irreverence and lots of humor.
But how would Rice’s style, as charming and frivolous as it is, gel with Hitchcock’s tension-filled, stylish 1959 mystery film, “North by Northwest”? Unfortunately, it didn’t work as well as I had hoped. Not that there weren’t clever, amusing bits ─ there were many ─, but at the end of the day, Rice’s version didn’t stand up to Hitchcock’s, nor was it original enough to distinguish it from the film. Perhaps Rice was simply using the wrong vehicle. Her more successful adaptations were based on fanciful folk tales that better suited her form of enchantment.
Rice assumes the audience knows the basic plot of this taut Cold War film: Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), an urbane, handsome ad man, is mistaken by foreign spies for the elusive Roger Kaplan. Thornhill meets sexy, smoldering, sophisticated Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) and is pursued cross-country ─ on a train, in a cornfield by a deadly crop-dusting plane, and finally to Mt. Rushmore.
Rice adds clever staging, talented fifties-style dancing, and some amusing bits, although many lines come directly from the film, including the dry one-liners. Katy Owen was great as the Professor, who narrated the show and added wry commentary and irony. Danny Collins, acting in the role of Roger Thornhill, is a gifted dancer, but this production was less of a traditional musical, so it didn’t fully showcase his talent. Patrycja Kujawska, as Eve Kendall, looked lovely in her fifties-style, full-skirted dress, but her accent seemed to come and go.
After seeing Rice’s “North by Northwest,” I watched the film again. It still retains its magic because of the star-studded cast, Ernest Lehman’s Oscar-nominated screenplay, Hitchcock’s direction, and Robert Burks’ cinematography.
So, I’m recommending Rice’s “North by Northwest” to those who love the film and will appreciate some light, clever theatrical fun and games.
“North by Northwest,” an Emma Rice Company, Kay & McLean Productions, and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions production based on the Turner Entertainment Co. film “North by Northwest,” runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
After A.C.T., this production will play at The Huntington Theatre, Boston, January 21- February 7, 2027, and the McCarter Theater, Princeton, NJ – 10 – 21 March 10 – 21, 2027.
By Emily S. Mendel
© Emily S. Mendel 2025 All Rights Reserved
