“Smart, funny and full of surprises – this Hitchcock rework is a proper good night out.”
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect walking into North by NorthWest – I knew the name, but hadn’t seen the film, and only really knew it was a Hitchcock story. Turns out, none of that mattered. This version, directed by Emma Rice and put on by Wise Children, is full of charm, cleverness and surprise. It’s easily the most fun I’ve had at the theatre in ages.
The whole thing kicks off with a bit of a daft setup – a phone call gone wrong that drags an ordinary man into a world of spies and Cold War conspiracies. Roger Thornhill (played by Ewan Wardrop) finds himself mistaken for someone else and ends up legging it across America trying to stay alive and figure out what’s actually going on. He’s suave and silly in equal parts, and carries the story with a kind of calm chaos.
What I didn’t expect was just how funny the whole thing was. Even though the plot is full of danger and near-misses, it’s all played with a lightness that keeps it from ever feeling too heavy. That’s down to a few things, really – the movement, the soundtrack, and the sheer energy of the cast.
The 1950s soundtrack is such a good touch. It gives the whole show this breezy, vintage vibe, and some of the dancing was honestly brilliant. Not in a polished, West-End-musical kind of way, but in a proper fun, character-driven way that made the audience grin from ear to ear. The choreography had a bit of a wink to it, and the way they used suitcases for everything – cars, buses, even Mount Rushmore – was so creative. You could just tell the cast were having a laugh with it, and that makes such a difference.
Now, the narrator – or “The Professor” – was my favourite part by a mile. Katy Owen was absolutely hilarious. She somehow managed to keep us on track with the plot while also breaking the fourth wall, throwing in cheeky comments, and keeping the energy up even in the slower moments. It could’ve all felt a bit complicated or far-fetched, but she made sure we were always in on the joke. She’s got the kind of stage presence where you just know everything’s going to be alright when she’s talking.
The rest of the cast were great too – it’s only six of them, but they play loads of characters each, flipping between roles with just a tiny costume change or a new accent. It was really clever, and never felt confusing. One second someone’s a villain, the next they’re someone’s mum or a bus driver or a bellboy. It just worked.
There are loads of twists and turns – I kept thinking, “Right, now I know what’s going on,” and then something else would happen to throw it all off again. And even though it’s daft in places, you still care about the characters. You want Roger to make it out, and you’re genuinely not sure whether Eve, the mysterious woman he meets, is going to help him or betray him. That balance of comedy and tension was done really well.
It’s also just so visually fun. The set design is simple but clever – suitcases stacked into landmarks, a kind of film reel feel to some of the transitions – and it all adds to the slightly surreal, tongue-in-cheek tone. There’s one scene with an airplane that had the whole audience giggling, and another moment near the end that felt surprisingly moving, even after all the silliness.
Overall, I thought it was brilliant. It’s rare to see something that feels both high-energy and properly silly without tipping over into chaos. Emma Rice’s direction gives it loads of personality, and the cast clearly know how to deliver a laugh while still keeping the story engaging. It’s honestly one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time.
If you’re after something clever, funny and packed with surprises – this is well worth seeing.
North by NorthWest runs until 10th May at HOME. Tickets are available here.