Open Forum

I'm curious if anyone has ever directed The 39 Steps (one act version) with more than 4 actors? The script calls for 3 males/1 female and they play multiple roles. I would love to have more students involved. Does anyone have input? Have you directed this show with an expanded cast?

Thank you!

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Melody Lowe
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I did the one-hour version with a cast of 11.  It was fine and it worked. That said, I personally don't know if I'd go much bigger than that because I found there wasn't enough for the other actors to do.  Maybe it's different with the full-length version.  They'd each have 1-2 scenes, but that's it. I had the main characters (Hannay and Pamela) carry through, but the other "clown" roles were divided up.

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Blake Wilson
Theatre Arts Director
Orange High School
NC
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I did the full length version with 10 & it worked beautifully, but I wouldn’t suggest much more than that as it takes out the fun of seeing the actors quickly changing between characters.
Sent from my iPhone


Original Message:
Sent: 7/3/2024 10:13:00 AM
From: Blake Wilson
Subject: RE: Directing The 39 Steps

I did the one-hour version with a cast of 11.  It was fine and it worked. That said, I personally don't know if I'd go much bigger than that because I found there wasn't enough for the other actors to do.  Maybe it's different with the full-length version.  They'd each have 1-2 scenes, but that's it. I had the main characters (Hannay and Pamela) carry through, but the other "clown" roles were divided up.

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Blake Wilson
Theatre Arts Director
Orange High School
NC
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