Discover GFT: The 39 Steps Reviewed

Hear what three infrequent theatre-goers who have never been to GFT have to say about The 39 Steps! Plus, check out these videos of them at the park for their first reactions to this hit show.

Situated amongst the mature trees and gardens that make Guild Park such a beautiful destination is the Greek Theatre. With full endorsement from the local community, the seats begin to fill, drinks and concessions are secured, and we all eagerly await what the evening has ahead. Going in without any knowledge was such a treat! From the immediate onset, I was taken in by the charisma and wit of the play.

The cast is lean and mighty, creating humour with incredible timing and physical comedy. And the accent and dialect work! Who would have known I could watch a performance at the Greek Theatre that had me feeling transported to the streets of London to the countryside of Scotland. Sébastien Heins immediately captivated as the suave male lead, Richard Hannay, managing to be both a source of incredible physical comedy and creating immediate on-stage chemistry with the other players. Where to start with Georgia Findlay? I cannot say enough about the star power and charm that Georgia had in every scene on stage. She managed to provide incredible transformations as needed throughout the evening, playing three unique characters—taking on new accents, hair, and mannerisms with each characterization. Then the romance that these two leads created in mere moments!? They had me rooting for their characters’ romance throughout every misunderstanding or comedic blunder.

The 39 Steps managed to strike a very amusing balance, keeping humour ever present while maintaining just enough tension to keep us wondering what could possibly happen next. With a plot that involved planes, trains, espionage, and all the colourful characters that could be found in London and Scotland, it was a big task to transport the audience. This was met with incredible capability by Isaiah Kolundzic and Kiana Woo, who are, perhaps rightly, referred to as the Clowns in the programme. This duo fill the scenes and colour the world of the play, managing to embody all the lively and comedic supporting roles with the quickest change of costume, voice, mannerism, and even prop. What an iconic duo! The entire audience looked forward to the antics that would ensue when these two came onto stage. It’s clear that they knew exactly how to play to the audience and get us laughing.

I can say that this experience at the Guild Festival Theatre was one of the best evenings, full of laughs, I’ve had in a while. This production really was a pleasure because of the incredible work of the cast that kept the energy up from beginning to end. As my first experience of watching an outdoor play in Guild Park, it was incredible from beginning to end. Beautiful location, talented actors, and solid production crew. I can say that I will definitely be returning!

Learn more about Claire at www.clairebrowneart.com, or @clairebrowneart on Instagram!

The play is a murder mystery and spy comedy following the story of Richard Hannay, who ends up caught in a chaotic plot after a mysterious woman is found murdered in his apartment. What happens next is a crazy journey across Scotland as he tries to prove his innocence and dodge the cops, all while trying to figure out the secret of “The 39 Steps.” It’s one of those stories that sounds serious when you describe the plot, but plays out hilariously, all while having you on the edge of your seat.

The cast’s talent and amazing range definitely left a mark—just four actors playing nearly a hundred characters. It honestly never felt like the same people were jumping between roles. The outfit swaps and voice changes made it seem like the stage was packed with a full ensemble cast. Clown 1 especially blew me away with the unique qualities she brought to each character, making me forget it was the same actor playing each one all along.

The GFT venue was just as memorable as the show itself. Having attended high school right next door to the Guildwood Inn, it felt magical to see the old monument I always walked past as a teenager transformed into the perfect stage. The monument’s structure made the ideal backdrop thanks to the white stone columns and classic Greek theatre design. To add to this, the open-air concept allowed the sun to hit the actors at just the right times. The birds in the park also added to the in-person and natural vibes of the performance, flying over the audience to join the cast at times, and making me feel as though I was right there on stage with Hannay. Even though the play was outdoors, the sound design was flawless, and I never had any trouble hearing the dialogue.

My favourite moments were when Hannay found himself in the most ridiculous situations, such as being handcuffed to a stranger while on the run and yet still managing to be a flirt. Another truly memorable scene was when Hannay was trying to escape while atop a moving train (with hardly any props!)—it was so well done that my friend and I couldn’t stop smiling.

Overall, the experience of watching a play at GFT felt special because I got to support my local community while enjoying theatre that was professional and well-thought-out, better than anything I’ve seen in Stratford or abroad. Nothing beats watching Canadian actors, in the neighbourhood I grew up in, telling a story that had me laughing and biting my nails.

Would I go back? Most definitely. Actually, I’d bring friends, family, or anyone who needs a break from their routine. The 39 Steps at Guild Festival Theatre is for people who love to have a good chuckle, who appreciate creative storytelling, and who like the sense of being right there with the actors.

Learn more about Sanjana at @sanjanakapuria on Instagram!