With the help of a perky narrator the mundane became action, and we allowed ourselves to be carried along by the whirring activity of the props table. At times I struggled to follow the goings on, even in The 39 Steps, the most famous of the selection, and a play I have seen in London.
Some cleverness occurred in the two breaks between the titles where were treated to live radio advertising complete with jingles and terrific harmonies. Of particular mention was the advert for Bates Motel including reference to wall linings, parking out front and, of course, Norman's mother.
The overall tone of the evening was that of humour, and traditionally a radio play should sit in the genre of comedy. Does Alfred Hitchcock do comedy? He certainly laces his work with dark humour, but it is never thematic. While looking great on paper, and containing some compelling material, is the work of Hitchcock actually suitable for radio serialisation? It is lovely to walk out of a theatre with such questions to discuss on the car journey home.
The Basement Company certainly has the necessary aspects of good stage craft – they all had chemistry in spades, and know how to make something entertaining, even in places when it wasn't. I would love to single individuals out for a mention, but in an extraordinary own goal Centrepoint did not produce a programme for this attraction. So, I'll say well done to all involved.
