Emma Rice, the Artistic Director of Wise Children, talks about a new production of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest she has adapted and directed for the stage, ahead of its visit to the Theatre Royal Bath at the end of May.

What is that inspired you to adapt North by Northwest for the stage?

North by Northwest is a rare example of a project that came to me! I was offered the chance to work on it and jumped at the chance. It is such an honour to work on a Hitchcock movie; he is one of the greatest storytellers of all time and a personal hero of mine. I love the way he uses glamour, sexual tension, intricate plotting and complex characters. Just the thought of it made me smile and what sealed the deal was that I knew immediately who my Cary Grant would be – the fabulous Ewan Wardrop. I have worked with Ewan many times before and he has the perfect mix of charisma, physicality and comedy. What a buzz!

You have adapted novels and films for the stage in previous productions. How does adapting a cinematic classic like North by Northwest compare to your past adaptations, and what unique challenges did adapting this story present?

The unique challenges of North by Northwest are pretty evident at first glance… How do you create a train on stage? How do you dive bomb Roger Thornhill with a biplane? How do you create Mount Rushmore? Even trickier though, is the question of how you can make this iconic period piece relevant to the times we are living in. That has been the big challenge and the wonderful discovery. This film offers so much for modern audiences to take from it as it tiptoes through the post-war landscape, exploring the damage that war can do both politically and personally – daring to hope for a better world. All this as well as being one of the most gripping romps you will ever see! I think my previous film adaptations have been different in that they have often been choices based on emotion; Brief Encounter and Bagdad Café being absolute tearjerkers! North by Northwest, however, is all about plot, deception, mystery and brain work. It feels like a departure for me – but that has made it feel fresh and fizzy. I’ve had to work hard but it has really paid off. I have learnt the rules of a thriller, but added my own blend of heart and soul.

Alfred Hitchcock’s films are so rooted in their visual language, do you honour his iconic cinematic style on stage?

It is impossible to recreate this amazing film, but it has been a blast having a try! Working with the award-winning Designer Rob HowelI, we have tried to honour Hitchcock, but never to imitate or parody him. Rob has designed an amazing set with moving pieces that bend your mind (just like the film!). We are being very creative with doors, suitcases, telephones and newspapers! But don’t ask how we create Mount Rushmore – that will have to remain a secret!

When working on an adaptation, how do you balance using the original material with bringing your unique artistic voice to it?

I don’t worry about this. I love the film, so I will never knowingly do this precious material any harm. Also, it still exists – so for those who love the film in its purest form, it remains untouched. What I have loved is using my theatre skill to find new ways to tell the story and reveal the characters in a new light. I think the audience will enjoy seeing our ‘baddies’ in a slightly more three-dimensional way and I also add some historical perspective that the film simply couldn’t have had. It’s been one of the hardest challenges of my career – but so worth it. I like to imagine that Hitchcock himself would approve!

Music and sound play an integral part in your productions – how will you integrate this into North by Northwest?

Creating the soundtrack for this production has been particularly enjoyable and exciting. I wanted to capture the retro cool of the period and for the audience to feel like they were in a smoky bar in 1959 New York. I have worked closely with multi award-winning sound designer Simon Baker, and he has created a soundtrack that can only be described as banging! We all secretly listen to the play list on the way to work in the mornings we love it so much! I think there will be lots of toes tapping and fingers clicking by the end of super-cool show.

The production has been described as a ‘riotously funny reworking’. How did you uncover and emphasize the humour within such a suspenseful and dramatic story?

There is so much humour in the film; it wasn’t hard to uncover. Cary Grant is hilarious, and his swagger cuts a ticklish dash throughout. However, the humour of this production really comes from the six incredible performers I have brought together. Their virtuosic skills take my breath away as they change character, weave theatre magic and find the humanity in all they do. We are laughing and smiling from the beginning of the day to the end – it is a rare treat.

How much freedom did you allow yourself to deviate from Hitchcock’s original film, and were there any elements that you felt you had to keep?

It is very hard to deviate too far from the film as the plot is so intricate and every scene matters. But… this is theatre so it will feel very different, and I hope in a good way. I have brought my signature storytelling lens and a chorus who take us through this fiendish plot with lots of surprise and humour. Choreographer Etta Murfitt has created an amazing world of 1950’s dance and the production spins like a silky, sexy top. Worry not! I have kept everything that fans love about the film – just not in the way you might expect!

The original North by Northwest is often seen as a commentary on identity and deception. How did you approach these themes in your adaptation?

These themes are so relevant today. Who are we as a society? Who should we believe? What kind of a world do we want to inhabit? This is topical, terrifying and pressing stuff and proves that North by Northwest is a brilliant story for our times. As we teeter on the edge of another war in Europe and try to understand a new world order, this Hitchcock masterpiece helps us remember and perhaps learn from history. The themes are a little scary, yes, but theatre helps us think about the unthinkable in a collective, safe space – and all with a dry martini and a giggle.

This production features performers and creatives who you have worked with on previous shows – how do you find reconnecting with long-time and trusted collaborators and how do these relationships help shape the show?

Oh, working with fabulous people again and again is one of the best things in life! We laugh together, we trust each other, and we are able to grow and change together. I firmly believe that familiarity breeds, not contempt, but love and respect. This stunning company is the living embodiment of that. I suppose that this is just a fancy way of saying that with our shared experience, knowledge and affection we all work faster, more bravely and more surprisingly. I love seeing an actor try to find new ways to delight both me, their colleagues and an audience. Glorious!

You are working again with venues such as HOME Manchester and York Theatre Royal – what is it that draws you back to working with these venues?

The audiences, the cities, the communities, the support, the friendship and the buzz! These venues share our excitement in creating shows and are a huge part of Wise Children’s journey. They are in fact co-producers on this show, as they have been on many past shows, which means they are helping us make the show. Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Alexandra Palace Theatre have also come on board as co-producers for this adventure. We love returning to friends old and new, whether they are in the offices or in the stalls. We are truly grateful for the support of our partner venues. We’re also looking forward to returning to Bath and Brighton, where we’ve had great times in the past. The Everyman Cheltenham is a new venue for Wise Children but not for me: my Kneehigh shows toured there for many years so it will be lovely to be back.

Why do you believe touring theatre is pivotal to the overall theatrical landscape?

Great theatre is for everyone and to reach everyone you have to get on the road and find them! I want to make work that travels, grows, delights and entertains. I want to find and build new audiences, and feel like a national and international company, not just a local one.

It’s going to be a blast. You can feel it in the room; we are gripped, laughing and eager to watch everything that is happening. Expect cool grooves, sensational dance, beautiful scenery, brilliant storytelling, physical comedy and perhaps (if I do my job right) a tear of two. Get your dry martini on pre-order, wear some 1950’s chic and prepare for a great night out. Genuinely, this is going to be a cracker!

Emma Rice’s adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest visits the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 27^th to Saturday 31^st May. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or book online at theatreroyal.org.uk

Photography credit: Richard Grassie, Steve Tanner