Eumundi Voice - Issue 87, 22 February 2024

DOWN MEMORY LANE

The 39 Steps play

Before there was TV, listening to radio plays and serials was the typical nightly family entertainment. In our house, everyone from Grandad down to tiny me listened daily to The Archers and Mrs Dale’s Diary on the BBC. We laughed at Hancock’s Half Hour, Educating Archer and especially the craziness of The Goon Show. Children’s Hour saw streets emptied as kids sat quietly to listen to Biggles’ latest adventure. Everyone was silent whenever there was a play by the Radio Drama Company which featured many top stage actors before they became TV favourites.

My Australian in-laws nostalgically mention Blue Hills and the thrilling Inner Sanctum series of plays which were raised in Parliament as emotionally-damaging to listeners.

Now Noosa Arts Theatre brings you the wonderful experience of time travel to actually see how a radio play was presented. The stage is converted into a 1930s radio studio for The 39 Steps, a humorous play inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller. Directed by Jane Rivers it features actors Glen Miller, Tania Nash, Jim Crawford, Maria Karambelas and Robert Boesch with special guest appearances by Ian Mackellar and Margaret Courtney.

The plot involves Richard Hannay in 1930s London meeting Annabella Smith while fleeing foreign agents. There is murder, perilous scrapes, an epic train chase and a feisty love interest as Richard searches for the truth about The 39 Steps. Susan Dearnley authentically produces all the sound effects onstage.

Tickets are on sale for performances from 29 February to 10 March, visit: noosaartstheatre.org.au, phone: 07 5449 9343, or attend the theatre box office from 10am-2pm Tuesday to Friday at 163 Weyba Rd, Noosaville. Eileen Walder