Some of the actors in The 39 Steps are literally wearing many hats.
The 39 Steps is the third Division of Theater mainstage production for the academic year. The play is a farce of famed director Alfred Hitchcock’s work and a spoof of spy thrillers. The show has dozens of roles but a cast of only four actors.
Only one actor plays the same part throughout the entire production; one woman plays all three female roles and two actors are “clowns” who will play 20 to 30 characters each. The clowns may switch into a character by the simple change of a hat.
“It’s just a variation on what they do in a normal play in terms of getting to discover a character, his motivation and reason,” said Dennis Delaney, director of The 39 Steps and head of the professional director training program. “A character may be easier than others to tackle. … There’s a range from a cockney character to a sinister German spy, which is much bigger to deal with.”
Greg Atkin, one of the clowns, said it’s actually an advantage to get to play the range of characters that he does, some of which he said are only on stage for 30 seconds.
“I’ll play from a sheriff to a law enforcement official to several women. … We’re twisting and turning into (these characters),” said Atkin, a senior studying global studies and theater performance. “I know they’ll make me into a beautiful woman. … With comedy, it’s all about, ‘How do I make these characters real?’”
The person in charge of making Atkin beautiful is Delta Smith, the costume designer for The 39 Steps. Smith said the focus when designing the costumes was to keep them simple so the audience can understand all of the character switches.
“I had to think quickly. What will the audience see and recognize instantly? What will give it away?” said Smith, a second-year costume design Master of Fine Arts candidate. “The moment they put something on, you need to know what that is.”
Smith said the pieces of clothing that are the quickest giveaways are the hat, jacket and tie.
Delaney said he thinks a big source of comedy will be from the clowns.
“It’s fun for the audience to just see what we’ll come out as next,” Atkin said.
If You Go
What: The 39 Steps
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 8 p.m. Feb. 25-27
Where: Elizabeth Evans Baker Theater, Kantner Hall
Admission: Free for OU students; $10 general admission; $7 non-OU students and senior citizens.
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