LOOKING AT “NORTH BY NORTHWEST” THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS.

Move over Alfred (Hitchcock that is), make room for Emma (Rice that is).

Alfred Hitchcock is by far one of my very best movie/mystery makers. With the exception of “The Birds” and “Vertigo”, some of my favorites include “Rear Window”, “Strangers On A Train”, “Dial M For Murder”, “Psycho” and “Notorious” to name a few. 

Lest we forget ,“North By Northwest” his 1959 thriller/nail biter film noir that has been hijacked by Emma Rice who conceived, wrote and directed this West Coast premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park, began in England’s York Theatre Royal in 2025. 

In some ways it reminded me of Patrick Barlow’s adapted, fast paced 2005 “The 39 Steps” seen some time ago at The La Jolla Playhouse and re done at Lamb’s Players Theater.  No need to let a good thing go when it’s in our grips.

Danny Collins as Roger Thornhill and Patrycja Kujawska as Eve Kendall

But it’s all about “North By Northwest” and I must confess that in my wildest dreams I could never have imagined the how, the when and the where Rice and company could  have reimaged (for those who know the movie by heart) the abduction of the innocent and suave Roger Thornhill (Danny Collins) caught up in a case of mistaken identity,  the inventive crop dusting scene, Mt. Rushmore images, the quick changing scenes, but they were all there, while yours truly was following along like the disciple she is. For the most part it was part laugh out loud, part amazement, part OMG, really? and part mouth open wonder; all deliciously so.  

(from left) Karl Queensborough as Phillip Vandamm, Simon Oskarsson as Valerian, Danny Collins as Roger Thornhill, and Bryony Pennington as Anna 

With a most talented cast of extremely versatile dancers and  flight director Kev McCurdy working along- side (Etta Murfitt, choreographer, movement director and intimacy coordinator), lighting designer Malcolm Rippeth who focuses on noir lighting, a set design to simulate all the different places Thornhill ran to and away from (Rob Howell) with two sets of revolving doors to depict changes in scenes, period costumes to fit the times and places (Rob Howell). This is exciting theatre. 

The cast of North by Northwest,

Picture the inside of The United Nations building, a car chase, a train escape, a hotel room, an elegant home on top of Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, a hand crushing scene atop the Mt. and a frantic rescue done in frenzied time all taking place in the most precise Hitchcock pattern, sans suitcases. (inside joke)

What wasn’t needed was the little person called the Professor (Katy Owens) who spoke in a heavy British accent and told us what was happening. It drove me to distraction.

Why???

from left) Bryony Pennington, Evangeline Dickson, Patrycja Kujawska, Simon Oskarsson, and Karl Queensborough as United Nations Workers 

But credit to Danny Collins, the nimble  footed lead who could dance circles around Fred Astaire while running in place at a speed faster than the speed of light when needed. His partner in crime, Eve Kendall (the Eva Marie Saint role) played by Patricja Kujawska, the par amour, who helped him in and out of difficult places, is equally engaging, tipping the light fantastic and breaking out lip sinking (credit Simon Baker as sound designer and composer) at the most unexpected times. (“Get Happy”, “Orange Colored Sky”).

Danny Collins as Roger Thornhill and Patrycja Kujawska as Eve Kendall 

Following the movie to the letter  (with the unexpected proselyting at the very end), the implied homosexuality, (as it seems is included in most of Hitchcock’s plays) the bidding war at the auction house and an Abraham Lincoln secret briefcase with high secrets inside all come together nicely.

The  cast, some playing many parts are: Karl Queensborough as the nasty villain Phillip Vandamm, (and Rogers mother played in drag), Simon Oskarsson, Byron Pennington and  Evangeline Dickson. 

Helen Lainsbury is Company Sage Manager on book. Becca Trimbur is Company Manager. 

The cast of North by Northwest,

No debating, Hitchcock was a mastermind of mystery, “North By Northwest” the movie ran a little over 2 hours. Rice’s production ran at least that long, much too long for this reviewer’s Alice B Toklas to take.  

Suggestion: Cut it down at least 20 -30 minutes.

If you’re looking for some fancy free fun with a tale to tell, Emma Rice has one and the Old Globe is performing it. 

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.

When:  Runs through Aug. 2. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays

Where: Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego

Photo:  Rich Soublet II.

Tickets: $43 and up

Phone: 619-234-5623

Online: theoldglobe.org