North by Northwest - Tour

[duncan]

From WOS - 

Wise Children has announced its new season of work, featuring a world premiere, returning favourites, and international tours.



The season includes artistic director Emma Rice’s adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, along with productions of The Little Match Girl and Happier Tales, The Ugly Duckling, and a global tour of Wuthering Heights.



Rice’s adaptation of North by Northwest will be co-produced with York Theatre Royal, HOME Manchester, and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. The production begins previews at York Theatre Royal on 18 March, with a press night on 26 March, before touring to Manchester, Liverpool, and further UK venues (to be revealed). The play, based on Hitchcock’s 1959 film, follows Roger Thornhill, a man mistaken for a spy in the middle of a Cold War conspiracy.

One of the great films of all time - can Emma Rice turn it into an Emma Rice production or will they get it right?

[n1david]

It's an interesting idea but considering some of the most significant scenes in NbNW are some of the most cinematic scenes in history this will be a tough one...

[marob]

Hmm… not sure about this one. I can picture the toy plane on a stick already.

[n1david]

Oh. Apparently it's a "humorous reworking"
www.thestage.co.uk/news/production-news/wise-children-new-season-to-include-world-premiere-staging-of-hitchcock-film

[helenfrombath]

Sept 11, 2024 12:25:26 GMT marob said:

Hmm… not sure about this one. I can picture the toy plane on a stick already.

They actually already do that bit in the 39 Steps play. For those few that haven't seen it, they include iconic moments from other Hitchcock films at various humorous and inappropriate moments.

[marob]

Just read the mailing list email, which contains this:

“Theatre legend Emma Rice takes on film legend Alfred Hitchcock in this riotously funny reworking that turns the original thriller on its head. With just six shape-shifting performers, a fabulous ‘50s soundtrack and a LOT of hats, this dazzling production plays with the heart, mind and soul. Join us for a night of glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths.”

Made my mind up for me. I didn’t much like The 39 Steps, so a knock off with random pop songs shoehorned in doesn’t really appeal. (Also having your own company referring to you as a legend is rather cringy.)

[mrbarnaby]

Theatre Legend 🤣

[BurlyBeaR]

Sounds dreadful. I don’t want to see some knock off “funny” version of that iconic film.

[oxfordsimon]

This will be beyond marmite.

Rice admirers will gush

Others will just avoid

[imstillhere]

Emma Rice has no tension in her work. The film has a lot of tension. I'll pass.

[curiouskc]

Having loved Wise Children, Wuthering Heights and Blue Beard, so I'm pretty much ready and waiting for whatever Emma Rice does next. I love that her company never play safe. Doing NbNW on stage will require big leaps of imagination.

[altamont]

There was a stage adaptation of North by Northwest 7 years ago - we saw it in Bath. It was brillianty executed and great fun too - I love the movie and thought this captured its essence beuatifully. I don't know if it played anywhere else. It had around a dozen performers, including Gerald Kyd and Abigail McKern.

No idea if the new version has anything to do with that one though.

[adamkinsey]

NBN is my favourite Hitchcock film and one of my top ten most enjoyable films. Don't want to see it messed around with.