The 39 Steps launches hunt for Hitchcock lookalike
Feature by Lizzie Guilfoyle
TO CELEBRATE its 3rd birthday in the West End, the producers of the hit stage comedy The 39 Steps which is based on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 classic film thriller, have launched a nationwide contest to discover Britain’s best Alfred Hitchcock lookalike.
And the winner and a guest will be celebrating in the Big Apple as the prize is a weekend for two in New York (flights courtesy of American Airlines) and tickets to see The 39 Steps there.
If you or a member of your family or a friend happen to look anything like Britain’s most recognisable movie director, then get them to enter! It couldn’t be easier…
Step 1: E.mail a photograph of the Hitchcock lookalike together with their name, age and address and a daytime contact phone number to broyal@fiery-angel.com or send to The Hunt For Hitch, Fiery Angel Ltd, 22-24 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ. The closing date is Friday, November 20.
Step 2: The best entrants chosen by the producers will be invited to London.
Step 3. The overall winner will be chosen by the audience at a performance of
The 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre.
The show’s producer Edward Snape said: “Hitchcock was a man of few words, but instantly recognisable from his on-screen cameo appearances and introductions to his TV thrillers, Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Big shoes (and clothes) to step into but we hope to find someone who captures his larger than life personality.”
The 39 Steps, winner of several coveted awards, including an Olivier for Best New Comedy and two Tonys, has played more than 1000 performances in London’s West End and has had productions in 39 countries.
Adapted for stage by Peter Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken, it follows the adventures of the dashingly handsome Richard Hannay – complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache – as he goes on the run from police accused of murder, dodges double-crossing secret agents, and becomes entangled with several devastatingly beautiful women.
Furthermore, it contains every legendary scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 classic film thriller, from Hannay’s nerve-jangling chase along the roof of the Flying Scotsman, his death-defying escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational explosive finale in the London Palladium – as well as the controversial ‘stockings and suspenders’ scene.
And it’s all played out in 100 minutes by just four actors playing more than 139 roles.
New to the cast are John Hopkins – Midsomer Murders‘ DS Dan Scott (as Richard Hannay) and Natalie Walter – Babes in the Wood‘s Carolyn (as Annabella Schmidt, Pamela and Margaret).
The 39 Steps is currently booking at the Criterion Theatre until October 23, 2010.