North by Northwest

Olivia Fines and Jonathan Watton in North by North West - Theatre Royal Bath. Credit: Nobby Clark.

Theatregoers with a taste for adventure take note: the stage version of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest is now playing at the Royal Alexandra Theatre for a limited engagement. Directed by Australia's Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), this fast-paced production remains true to the iconic film while adding a memorable live action element.

Set in 1960, North by Northwest follows advertising exec Roger O. Thornhill (Jonathan Watton) from New York to North Dakota as he is chased by spies, Feds and an iconic crop-dusting plane. Mistaken for a man named George Kaplan, Thornhill finds himself caught in a tangled web of intrigue that leads him into the arms of Eve (Olivia Fines), a mysterious femme fatale, and eventually to a dangerous skirmish on top of Mount Rushmore.

Featuring a strong ensemble, stylish set and spot-on costumes, the production accurately captures the movie's aesthetic while taking creative liberties with projections to portray some of the more ambitious scenes. The result is surprisingly effective and entertaining.

North by Northwest runs until October 29, 2017 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.