Hitchcock classic hits the stage
Adelaide, prepare to be wowed – the stage adaption of Alfred’s Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is coming to the Adelaide Festival Centre from December 29. And who better to chat to us about the 1959 classic thriller than one of its stars, Adelaide’s very own Amber McMahon.
How would you describe North by Northwest?
Well, it’s basically the sprawling film plot crammed into two hours on stage. It’s a very faithful adaptation of the Hitchcock film – there’s thrills, romance and old-school charm. It follows [New York executive] Roger Thornhill, as he’s chased across America by Russian spies in a case of mistaken identity.
New York executive Roger Thornhill is chased across America in North by Northwest.
Do you think the audience’s nostalgia from the original film creates a buzz around the show?
Absolutely. I think it’s one of the most pleasurable things for the audience coming into the theatre. Many people have romantic connections to this film and it’s just as beautiful on stage. We have an ensemble cast of 12, and the cinematic sequences are handled with fantastic theatrical flair.I think it’s a really ingenious adaptation that very much captures the spirit of the film.
Are you excited to play Eve Kendall in front of family and friends in Adelaide?
I think it’ll be lovely. There’s a level of transformation that goes on for that role, and friends and family who’ve already seen the show in Melbourne say that they can’t see any of me in it, which is great. [Eve’s] mysterious, sharp and understated, and there’s a beautiful duality to her. She’s torn between her work and Roger, but she can’t let anything break that cool exterior.Is it fun playing a role set in the 1950s?
It’s a beautiful world to be in, and it really transports you back in time. The show starts and we’re plunged into the world of 1959, and it feels like it. Once the show starts it goes like the clappers. You really feel like you’re part of that beautiful period.
Adelaide’s own Amber McMahon plays Eve Kendall in North by Northwest.
What’s been the most challenging part of playing the role?
Every show has its challenges, but there really fun to work on. The old-fashioned Trans-Atlantic American accents no longer exist. Particularly Eve who has this little idiosyncratic lilt to her accent, so it’s lovely to work on that. The accent required dexterity and that’s part of the charm and joy of acting in productions like this.
Ms McMahon had to learn an American accent for her part as Eve Kendall.
You flex different acting muscles, and it’s fulfilling and exciting because you can change the way you sound so dramatically. There are also these great little performance challenges, and it’s a very physical show so you’re running around in stilettos, which is great fun. But, you’ve got to work up the muscles for it.
Are there any surprises in the production you can tell samotor readers about?
It’s tough to beat those classic iconic sequences like the crop duster and Mount Rushmore scenes, but I think you should tell your readers they’re handled with great flare and they’re really fun moments of the production.
The North by Northwest stage show includes classic scenes from the movie.