2009—2010 SEASON

the 39 steps Adapted by From the novel by From the movie of Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited CONTENTS And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon 2 The 411 Directed by Martha Banta 3 A/S/L & RMAI 4 FYI 5 HTH & RBTL 6 F2F 9 B4U 10 IRL 11 SWDYT?

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Hugh and Ann Scott At The Rep, we know WELCOME! that life moves fast— The desire to learn, insatiable when awakened, can okay, really fast. sometimes lie dormant until touched by the right teacher or But we also know the right experience. We at The Rep are grateful to have the that some things opportunity to play a role supporting you as you awaken the are worth slowing desire for learning in your students. down for. We believe that live theatre is one of Patrick Barlow’s The 39 Steps is a non-stop mystery that those pit stops worth making and are excited that you are will engage your students from the start. The play is based going to stop by for a show. To help you get the most bang on Alfred Hitchcock’s movie of the same name, but you for your buck, we have put together WU? @ THE REP—an and your students don’t need to have seen it to enjoy the IM guide that will give you everything you need to know to performance. Not only does it have the cleverness and get at the top of your theatergoing game—fast. You’ll find twists for which Hitchcock is known, this production uses character descriptions (A/S/L), a plot summary (FYI), four actors to play a great number of diverse characters, biographical information (F2F), historical context (B4U), often switching between them on a breath. In my pre-show and other bits and pieces (HTH). Most importantly, we’ll speech, I often mention that live theatre is interactive and have some ideas about what this all means IRL, anyway. the audience has an important role in any performance. That is especially true for this show. The set is simple and open using objects to suggest the many locations to which our characters travel. The audience—your students—will have to engage their imaginations to transport us to trains, bridges, music halls and more. This play truly needs an audience willing to play with us. Who does that better than students? It would be a good idea to take a minute on the bus to give The Teacher’s your students these quick theatre etiquette reminders: Lounge • This show has an intermission; there will be time for bathroom breaks before the show and partway through. In an effort to make our educational materials more • The actors can hear the audience and appreciate the accessible to students and easier for laughter, gasps and quiet attention to action. However, ­educators to incorporate into the class- talking, moving around and eating is very distracting room, our study guide is written in a student-oriented to others and can dampen the energy of what is format. We hope that you will circulate this guide among happening on stage. your students in the weeks preceding your visit to The • Pictures, phone calls and texting are not allowed at any Rep, encouraging them to browse it before and after class time during the performance. and as time allows, using it as a launch point for both pre- and post-performance discussions. You may also want to Live theatre won’t allow your students to take a passive visit our website, www.repstl.org, for additional role—they must work with us to create the experience which information including educational games, activity takes the learning deeper. Our unique ability to fuse words suggestions and behind-the-scenes information. Any and images onstage allows your students to explore new materials, either from this guide or from our website may ideas as well as excites their imaginations. We will do our be reproduced for use in the ­classroom. As always, we part so your students will be stirred to understandings and appreciate your making live theatre a self-awareness while delving into new and familiar worlds. part of your classroom experience You are doing your part by using The Rep to extend your and welcome your feedback intellectual and aesthetic curriculum. Thank you! and questions. Show Me Standards: CA 2, 3, 7; FA 2, 3, 4, 5; SS 2, 4, 6 and Illinois Learning Standards: 1, 2, 5, 14, 15, 16, 18, 25, 27. Marsha Coplon, Director of Education RICHARD HANNAY might tell you to be In his travels, Richard comes across careful what you wish for. Though he used CROFTER and his wife, MARGARET. While to spend much of his time pining they are kind enough to give Richard a for more excitement, his life quickly place to say, it’s probably accurate to assume changes after seeing a show starring the Margaret is fonder of him than her husband famed Mr. Memory. (surprise!). Richard seems to always be meeting some Smart and sophisticated, PROFESSOR new lovely young lady, with ANNABELLA JORDAN seems to have all the answers that being the first and perhaps most unique. She Richard is seeking…but is meeting with the is a charming young woman, though she has Professor the end of Richard’s journey? her fair share of oddities. You never know MR. and MRS. MCGARRIGLE (the inn what she’s going to do or say, so be on the keepers) seem to be good judges of character lookout! as they protect Richard and Pamela from the A sweet but skeptical girl, PAMELA seems suspicious characters who pursue them. to be everything Richard is looking for… And whatever you do, watch out for the wily except she kind of hates his guts. CLOWNS!

READ MORE ABOUT IT We encourage you to explore the following books, movies and websites for more information.

Buchan, John. The Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 http://hitchcock.tv/ 39 Steps, Kessinger Steps, 86 minutes, Miracle Got a fix for the 411 on Publishing. 2004. You’ve Pictures, 2002. You’ve seen the Hitchcock? Get it quick on this seen the play, check out the play, you’re going to check out website which features a bio, book that started it all! the book (right?!), why not finish essays, film info and more! off the experience by seeing the McGilligan, Patrick. Alfred http://www.imdb.com/ classic movie? Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness IMDB.com—that’s short for and Light, Harper Perennial, Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Internet Movie Database—is the 2004. Want to know about the Northwest, 136 minutes, definitive source for information man behind the mystery? Check Warner Home Video, 2009. If on any and all movies ever made, out this book to learn the master you dig The 39 Steps then you and most (if not all!) of the folks of suspense’s deepest, darkest just might like the similar tale of behind them. Don’t believe me? secrets! . Search out your favorite movie, actor or boom mic operator for yourself and see!

3 Though he’s only recently Narrowly escaping, returned home from exciting Richard travels the travels, Richard Hannay is countryside until he comes already bored and looking upon Crofter and Margaret. for action as the play begins. They kindly open their home Luckily for him, in a trip to to Richard, though Crofter a show starring the famous quickly becomes jealous as Mr. Memory (a man who Richard turns on the charm seems to know anything with Margaret. He barely and everything) he meets a gets away once again, but strange but intriguing woman not before stealing Crofter’s by the name of Annabella. coat (with a hymnal in the pocket). After some curious antics at the show (antics involving some gunshots Finally, Richard lands at Professor Jordan’s and clowns), Annabella persuades Richard mansion. It seems Richard is on cusp of to take her home with him. Once they fulfilling Annabella’s quest until he notices arrive, Annabella reveals that she is a secret that the Professor is missing a piece of his agent attempting to defend confidential little finger…something Annabella warned information regarding the nation’s air Richard to look out for. Professor Jordan defense. It would seem that the clowns are reveals he’s in cahoots with the bad guys the bad guys, and they’ll stop at nothing to before shooting Richard. smuggle the information out of the county. Miraculously, however, the hymnal Before they retire for the evening, Richard absorbs the bullet and Richard is able to slip decides to assist Annabella in saving the away once again. Before being apprehended country. for a second time, he runs into Pamela (the Richard’s life just got a little more lovely stranger from the train), and the interesting! pair are handcuffed together before they once again escape (she, by the way, hates Nothing could prepare him, however, every minute of it). They end up in an inn for what would happen in the middle of where Pamela begins to see that all may not the night—Annabella falling over dead be what it seems. She’s able to slip out of before his eyes, stabbed in the back! With the handcuffs and they part ways the next national security on the line, Richard must morning. set off quickly for Professor Jordan, a name Annabella mentioned the evening before. Richard ends up returning to the place What is the information that Annabella was this whole mess started—the Mr. Memory trying to protect? Where is it? Surely Jordan show. Pamela is there too, with a slew of will know! officers behind her. As it turns out, Professor Jordan is also there, seemingly to finish Before he’s able to get away cleanly, the job he started with Richard (that is, however, Richard’s housekeeper discovers kill him). In a last ditch effort to prove his Annabella’s body and informs police. Radio innocence, Richard reveals that Mr. Memory bulletins blare that Richard is a murderer on holds the information Annabella wanted to the loose, armed and dangerous. Though he’s protect. Jordan is shot, Richard is cleared, taken the first train out, the authorities are and Pamela falls into his arms—whew! All’s already on to him. His last hope is to hide well that ends well! with the lovely stranger Pamela, but when she gives him away he has no choice but to leap from the train. Liverish: unhappy and bad tempered Lavatory: a room or compartment with a toilet and washbasin; a bathroom Buffers: people or things that prevent other incompatible people or things from Loch: a lake coming into contact with or harming each Acquirer: one who buys or obtains an other object or asset for oneself Supernumerary: person or thing Moors: tracts of open uncultivated land that is present in excess of the normal or requisite number, like a person not belonging Pusillanimous: showing a lack of to a regular staff but engaged for extra work courage or determination; timid Impertinent: not showing the proper Gallant: brave; heroic respect; rude Manacled: chained or shackled by the Haddock: a silvery gray bottom-dwelling hands or ankles fish of the North Atlantic coastal waters, Piccadilly Circus: famous road related to the cod; popular as a food fish and junction and public space of London’s West of great commercial value End, connecting Regent Street with the major shopping street, Piccadilly

Be Careful What You Wish For All Is Not As It Seems In the opening moments of the play, Richard Though no one believes him, Richard Hannay seems bored with his life and wishes Hannay is not, in fact, guilty of murder. And there was something more adventurous though he tells everyone that his success and wild about it. Not long after, his wish isn’t just a matter of life and death but of is granted to the extreme, as he’s chased national security, people think he’s just a around the nation on a mission of national loony making outlandish statements. Have defense. Did Hannay really have it all that you ever been in a situation where no one bad sitting at home? Do you think at any believed you? How did that feel? Have you point during his journey he might have ever not believed someone else because taken back his wish? Have you ever taken what he or she said didn’t sound true? How your own situation for granted, wishing for did you feel when you found out they were more, only to realize later that you made a actually telling the truth? mistake? Stand Up For What You Believe The End of Innocence Against all odds (and everyone against him/ Though he may have been guilty of not out to get him), Hannay stayed the course appreciating what he had, Hannay is and pursued the secret he knew he had to certainly not guilty of anything illegal. protect. Have you ever had to face obstacles However, throughout the whole play he in your life? Has anyone ever tried to stop is pursued as the murderer of Annabella. you from doing something you loved? How Have you ever been accused of something did you respond? Like Hannay, did you stay you didn’t do? Do you know someone else the course and fight for what you believe? Or who has? How did you/they deal with the did you give up under the pressure? accusation? What’s the best way to deal with being falsely accused?

5 In the world of making movies, there’s humor in a desperate or hopeless situation), one person who has the final say above all and making the audience feel like a voyeur, others on the set, in the editing room and in (they were watching something on the approving the final cut—the director. That’s sly that perhaps they weren’t supposed to right, while you might not always know their be seeing) giving the audience the guilty names, directors pleasure of being a are the people who peeping tom of sorts. famous writers, Though his actors and designers prolific output and make it a point to engaging style would know. Few directors, have been enough to however, commanded make him a special the amount of director, what really respect that “the set Hitchcock apart is master of suspense” that all the while he Alfred Hitchcock did. was pioneering the While Alfred film genre of suspense Hitchcock thriller. That’s right, had one of the before Hitchcock, most stellar and these kinds of movies productive careers didn’t exist. He also in the history of innovated the overall of filmmaking film as a writer, Psycho director, producer as he continually and actor (totaling a took on the toughest body of work that included over 50 feature challenges of the medium. For example, he films spanning six decades!), his successes was a master of cinematography, or the art weren’t always guaranteed. Born in 1899 to of creating and manipulating the visual a greengrocer and his wife, Hitchcock had a elements of filmmaking. He could take a troubled childhood plagued by overly harsh single, static set (which could easily become parents and a continual sense of inadequacy the most boring film ever…just think about over his physical appearance (most notably it, you’d only see one thing all the time) his weight). Upon finishing school Hitchcock and play with framing, angles, props and took up work as a draftsman and advertising perspective to keep it visually fresh. designer, not a world-famous film director. In the film Rope, he demonstrated his It wasn’t until his mid-20s that he’d stumble mastery by making it appear as though the upon directing after working in production entire 80 minute film was one take, or the (you know, working behind the scenes on a entire film was one continuous flow with movie). no cuts or cutaways. Your eyes are always Within ten years (by 1935 when on the action, and still he fools you in the he released The 39 Steps) Hitchcock had end! Hitchcock also developed cinematic released an astonishing 21 films and was techniques like the dolly zoom (as seen in only beginning to find his groove as a Vertigo), where the camera is pulled in the director. His work was characterized by its opposite direction of the zoom. The effect? suspense (Who dunnit?! And what did they The image appears to stretch before your really do?!), gallows humor (grim and ironic very eyes, no expensive computers or 3D l The Birds (1963) special effects artists needed. If you weren’t afraid of birds before watching Amid all of his landmark successes and this film, you might think twice the next innovations, Alfred Hitchcock never ceased time you see a gang of pigeons on the to have his own fun while filmmaking. He sidewalk… was known for employing famous landmarks l Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) as backdrops for his suspense sequences, and for making cameo appearances in his movies What, did you think Brad and Angelina were (brief appearances which may even go the first? Not hardly! While not typical of unnoticed by many), usually giving himself Hitchcock’s style (this film is more romantic a humorous moment behind a more serious and funny than truly suspenseful), Mr. scene. and Mrs. Smith reveals the versatility of the director. Hitchcock was decorated for all of his contributions to the world of film, winning l Vertigo (1958) over 30 different awards from Oscars to The moral of this story might be if you’re lifetime achievement awards. Though he afraid of heights, stay down on the low passed away in 1980, his work continues to ground where it’s safe. captivate audiences while influencing the craft of filmmaking today. l North by Northwest (1959) If you liked The 39 Steps, you just might Be s t o f h i t c h c o c k f i l m o l o g y : enjoy North by Northwest. Or, if you’re in the mood for another spy being chased across l Psycho (1960) the country despite the fact that he’s not One of the iconic suspense thrillers of our really a spy then check this one out. time, Psycho has one of the most parodied moments in all of film, a horrific shower scene that terrifies even by today’s standards for horror movies.

The Birds

North by Northwest So you know that the play The 39 Steps After returning home from the war, was adapted from the movie of the same Buchan held a variety of other government name by Alfred Hitchcock, right? But did posts before receiving the biggest he you know that the movie was adapted from would hold—Canadian Viceroy, essentially the novel of the same name by John Buchan? a ruler of Canada on behalf of the King It was! But wait—who’s John Buchan?! (King George V). Mark that down as another country, another awesome job! Besides being one of Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite writers, John Buchan was a lawyer For those who had forgotten, he’s been and British politician who lived between writing all this time, too. In fact, by the 1875 and 1940. Don’t let any of his titles time he died in 1940, Buchan amassed a deceive you though, he was truly a man of library of 100 works. Most of his writings the world who led an inspirational life. It all were novels, but he also wrote short stories started off in Scotland where he was born and biographies. While his biographies were and raised. He moved to England to pursue celebrated works, he was most known for his studies at the University of Oxford, where (yep, you guessed it) suspense thrillers. And he would begin to feed his writing addiction though The 39 Steps would be Hitchcock’s by meeting and befriending a number of only adaptation of Buchan’s work, it influential writers. The real world came wouldn’t be the only time Hitchcock thought calling upon his graduation, however, and about it. Buchan took up a career in tax law. Though he died just before Hitchcock His dreams and desire for adventure came into his prime as a filmmaker (widely wouldn’t be held down for long, however, regarded as the 1950s), Buchan’s life, as Buchan traded in his law career to adventures and influence upon Hitchcock pursue writing and to become the private never went away. His work lives on today secretary to the colonial administrator of in his many books, film adaptations (The 39 various colonies in South Africa, a move that Steps alone was adapted multiple times), and launched a new career in politics. And when short story collections. the First World War broke out, Buchan was on the front lines…with his pen as a war correspondent for the British (during which time he happened to meet the man who served as inspiration for Hannay in The 39 Steps). For those keeping score at home— Buchan has lived in at least three different countries and had at least as many different occupations. That’s all before turning 44, mind you. How in the world did they sell tickets to Film Feast what were essentially just moving pictures Summer is the season for film with music? blockbusters; there’s no better time to get a Hey, not so fast there! These films told pulse on the art of making movies than to stories as well as any modern day movie. check out what’s hot In fact, due to the technical from May to August. limitations (the whole reason The summer of 2009 early movies didn’t feature saw X-Men Origins: sound was because technology Wolverine, G.I. Joe: wasn’t advanced enough) The Rise of the Cobra, these movies had to work Harry Potter and the harder and smarter to let Half Blood Prince and an audience know what was Star Trek. And while happening. Silent films as explosions, special early as 1903’s The Great Train effects and sexual Robbery cleverly told their innuendo may be tales and helped establish the major selling the linear structure used in points for today’s modern filmmaking today. biggest films, it wasn’t always the Silent films were also case (big surprise, successful because of great right?). performers like Buster Keaton. Famed for his vaudeville Okay, so maybe performances (the chief it’s obvious that entertainment of the early films haven’t always 20th century, featuring song, dance, comedy had special effects. After all, today’s and acrobatic acts like you see on television computerized graphics weren’t possible even shows like America’s Got Talent), Keaton 10 years ago. And it’s true, even today not became even more famous for his silent film every movie blows stuff up (but shouldn’t work. Known for his comedic portrayals, they?!) and if it’s rated G or PG it tends to he was one of the great “gagmen” of early be pretty family friendly. film. His physical antics were hilarious, Would it surprise you, though, to learn and his daring for performing stunts was that films haven’t always had sound? unmatched. He never hesitated to perform a gag because it was dangerous, and among Take another look; it’s not a typo. other injuries, he even once broke his neck. The earliest of films did not feature sound, at least not as we know it today. Up As you know, however, physical antics until around 1930, films had no dialogue and clever storytelling couldn’t contend (talking) or sound effects. Stories were with technological advancements. The era conveyed entirely by action, the actors’ of silent films ended around 1930 when the body language and facial expressions, “talkies” (movies with actual dialogue) took and occasionally onscreen placards when over. Silent films and the techniques used to characters absolutely had to speak. The tell stories with sheer visuals still continues only sounds that these films featured were to have its impact on film today, with Alfred carefully chosen pieces of mood music that Hitchcock’s innovative filmmaking as a accompanied the action. striking example.

9 While there are many artists and works say what? that comprise the pastiche movement, here are a few of the more popular, recent pieces Have you ever just been sitting and artists that you might recognize. Can there, watching your favorite T.V. show or you think of any more? something, say like Family Guy, and then BLAM a character like Stewie or Brian or Peter cracks a joke or makes a reference to “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen some other book, show, movie or otherwise This song is pastiche as it references various (like Star Wars, for example)? Well I bet you musical styles all in one song, including didn’t know it, but The 39 Steps opera, a cappella and heavy rock. does just that throughout the play, referencing many of Hitchcock’s films like Psycho Weird Al Yankovic and North by Northwest. Weird Al’s work as a whole is pastiche, as he While many books, television doesn’t actually write his own songs so much shows and movies pay homage as he re-writes the songs of others. Take to other works and artists with Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” for example: references and parodies, there are “Beat It” entire works that are composed of just They Told Him Don’t You Ever Come that (you might actually argue this Around Here description fits Family Guy perfectly). This kind of work—one that imitates Don’t Wanna See Your Face, other works and/or is composed of a medley You Better Disappear of pieces taken from various sources is called The Fire’s In Their Eyes And pastiche. Their Words Are Really Clear a Pastiche isn’t simply limited to So Beat It, Just Beat It. referencing scenes or lines from other works, however, as it can also reference And Weird Al’s version: time periods, historic figures, places, styles “Eat It” and just about anything else you can How come you’re always think of. The key to a pastiche is that it’s such a fussy young man, referential, typically in a tongue-in-cheek (ironic or funny) kind of way. Sometimes Don’t want no Captain Crunch, the referencing isn’t obvious, as the pastiche don’t want no Raisin Bran, may utilize the thing it references for its Well don’t you know that other kids are own style and tone. starving in Japan, Further, the term pastiche can be used So eat it, just eat it. to refer to anything from a book to a movie to music and more, as just about any art form lends itself to being referential in one Quentin Tarantino way or another. And of course, one form can Quentin Tarantino’s work is pastiche in reference another, like a movie referencing that it often pays tribute to pulp novels, music, for example. blaxploitation and kung fu films. “Listen I’m so terribly sorry! I was “I’ve been pretty busy all my life really. desperate! I had to do it! My name’s Well actually not recently. Recently I’ve Richard Hannay. They’re after me. I been in a bit of a slump to be honest. swear I’m innocent! You’ve got to help Catching myself in the lonely hours, full me! I’ve got to keep free for the next of…thoughts and what have you. Well few days. You see the safety of this not that recently. Recently, the last few country depends on it.” days—well the last day really, every- ] In his attempt to get away from the thing’s gone haywire frankly.” police on the train, Hannay runs into ] In a moment of reflection, Hannay Pamela and tries to get her to hide him. remarks that he’s been in a bit of a slump Has anyone ever come to you in some lately. What characterizes a slump for trouble that they didn’t want anyone else Hannay? Have you ever found yourself in to know about? What’s the best thing to a bit of slump? What do you do to shake do in that situation? yourself out of it?

“Mr. Hannay you’ve forced me into a very “So look here I’m asking…all and every difficult position. You see I live here one of you now you…and…and—you as a respectable citizen. My very best …and—and Mr. McCrocodile—let’s just friend is the Sheriff of the County. You set ourselves resolutely to make this must realize my whole existence could world a happier place! A decent world! be jeopardized if it became known that A good world! A world where no nation I was not—what shall we say—not plots against nation! Where no neighbor what I seem. But what makes it doubly plots against neighbor, where there’s important that I simply can’t let you no persecution or hunting down, where go is that I’m just about to convey everybody gets a square deal and a some very vital information out of the sporting chance and where people try to country. Oh yes I’ve got it alright. I’m help and not to hinder! A world where afraid poor Annabella would have been suspicion and cruelty and fear have far too late. So it seems there’s only one been forever banished! That’s the sort of option Mr. Hannay.” world I want! Is that the sort of world ] In the final moments of their first you want?” meeting, Professor Jordan reveals his true ] What do you think of the world Hannay identity to Hannay. Can you think of pines after in this passage? To steal his other characters in the play who lie about words, is it the sort of world you want? Is their identities? What do you make of all it possible? What can you do to help move the deception? our world closer to the one he envisions?