Stage Directions (2008) - Homage To Hitchcock
Details
- magazine article: Homage To Hitchcock
- author(s): Bryan Reesman
- journal: Stage Directions (01/Oct/2008)
- issue: volume 21, issue 10, page 20
- journal ISSN: 1047-1901
- publisher: Timeless Communications
- keywords: Actors, Alfred Hitchcock, Laurence Olivier, Motion pictures, Music, New York City, New York, Sound design, The 39 Steps (1935), The 39 Steps (play), Theater
Links
Abstract
It gleefully quotes other Hitchcock film titles in its dialogue and is driven by manic energy and over-the-top performances from its talented cast, three of whom tackle multiple roles. Dann really enjoys doing the show and is quite keen to do the tour in the fall of '09, and I think part of that is because even though it's an automated show, the sound operator's contribution is really crucial because of how tightly cued the visual cues have to be and the fact that you can do comic timing.
Article
Mic Pool discusses the work that went into winning the first Tony for Best Sound Design of a Play.
Sam Robards (right) with Cliff Saunders in pursuit, helped along with judicious sound effects
British sound designer Mic Pool has certainly worked on his share of serious theatre throughout his three‑decade career. He's tackled The Postman Always Rings Twice and late Shakespeare plays, not to mention Wagner's Ring Cycle as a video designer, so he jumped at the refreshing opportunity to help create an onstage parody of Alfred Hitchcock's classic black‑and‑white thriller The 39 Steps. Made to look like a low rent production with a cast of four and seriously minimal stage effects ‑ the famous plane chase sequence across the moors is done with puppets and props in shadowplay ‑ this version of The 39 Steps is self‑referential and self‑mocking. It gleefully quotes other Hitchcock film titles in its dialogue and is driven by manic energy and over‑the‑top performances from its talented cast, three of whom tackle multiple roles. Now the show has come to Broadway from London's West End, and the icing on the cake for Pool is that he won the first ever Tony Award for Sound Design of a Play thanks to his work on it. In reality, the show is far from stripped down. Ironically, it requires highly sophisticated sound and visual effects to create its low‑budget aura.
Stage Directions: What was it like to win the first Tony for Sound Design of a Play?
Mic Pool: It was great...
