Emma Rice’s world premiere stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is bound for Bath

A brand-new stage adaptation of North by Northwest visits the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 May on UK tour, as theatre legend Emma Rice takes on film legend Alfred Hitchcock in a riotously funny reworking that turns the original thriller on its head.

Image: Mirabelle Gremaud, Simon Oskarsson, Ewan Wardrop, Patrycja Kujawska, and Karl Queensborough in Emma Rice's North by Northwest, credit Steve Tanner

It would be strange, would it not, if, in a city of seven million people, one man were never mistaken for another... But that is exactly what happens to Roger Thornhill, reluctant hero of North by Northwest, when a mistimed phone call to his mother lands him smack bang in the middle of a Cold War conspiracy. Now he’s on the run, dodging spies, airplanes and a femme fatale who might not be all she seems.

With just six shape-shifting performers, a fabulous ’50s soundtrack and a LOT of hats, this dazzling production plays with the heart, mind and soul, bringing glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths.

Wise Children’s ensemble cast are Ewan Wardrop as Roger Thornhill, Mirabelle Gremaud as Anna, Patrycja Kujawska as Eva Kendall, Simon Oskarsson as Valerian, Katy Owen as The Professor and Karl Queensborough as Philip Vandamm, with all other roles played by the company.

Emma Rice, who has adapted and directed Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, is the Artistic Director of Wise Children. She received the UK Theatre Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre in 2019. An internationally respected theatre-maker and director, for Wise Children, she has adapted and directed The Buddha of Suburbia, Blue Beard, The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales, Wuthering Heights, Bagdad Café, Angela Carter’s Wise Children, Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers and Romantics Anonymous.  As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe from 2016 to 2018, she directed Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). For the previous 20 years, she worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director creating critically acclaimed productions.

Mirabelle Gremaud returns to the Theatre Royal Bath after playing Lost Sister in Blue Beard for Wise Children last February. She has previously performed with the company in Wise Children at The Old Vic, London and on UK tour; Malory Towers at Bristol Passenger Shed and on UK tour, and Wuthering Heights at Bristol Old Vic, the National Theatre and on UK tour. Her theatre credits as an actress, dancer and contortionist include Le Conte des Contes for Théâtre Kléber-Mélau, Peter Pan at Birmingham Rep, Falling for Complicité, Swan Lake for The Lost Estate, Acrojou at the Roundhouse, and her solo show Sombre Sloughing in the UK and Europe on tour.

Patrycja Kujawska returns to the Theatre Royal Bath after playing Treasure in Wise Children’s Blue Beard last February. Her previous productions with the company also include Bagdad Café at London’s Old Vic Theatre and Wise Children at The Old Vic Theatre and on tour. Her theatre credits include Cyrano and The Grinning Man at Bristol Old Vic; Don John for the RSC, The Tin Drum, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips and Midnight’s Pumpkin for Kneehigh; The Red Shoes, Tristan & Yseult and The Wild Bride for Kneehigh on tour in the UK and America; Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and Other Love Songs) for Kneehigh on tour in UK and Shanghai, and many productions with Vincent Dance Theatre.

Katy Owen was last seen at the Theatre Royal Bath playing Mother Superior in Blue Beard for Wise Children at the start of 2024. She has previously performed with the company in The Buddha of Suburbia at the RSC and Barbican Centre, Wise Children at The Old Vic, London and on UK tour, and Wuthering Heights at Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre. Her many stage credits also include UBU Karaoke! and Rebecca with Kneehigh, including at the Theatre Royal Bath in 2015; The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales at Shakespeare's Globe, Bristol Old Vic and on UK tour; Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's Globe, and 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tipps for Kneehigh at Shakespeare's Globe and on UK tour. Her screen credits include The Story of Tracy Beaker and films Cyrano and Daddy’s Girl.

Simon Oskarsson’s stage credits include Hadestown in the West End; Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written, 101 Dalmatians and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; The Book Thief at the Curve Leicester and Belgrade Coventry; Claus at The Lowry; Assassins at The Watermill Theatre; Kiss Me Kate for Sheffield Theatres, and Return to the Forbidden Planet for Upstairs at the Gatehouse, receiving a nomination for Best Actor in a Musical at the Stage Debut Awards. His international theatre credits include Kärlek Skonar Ingen, Julia Capulet and Ögonblick, and screen credits include Lotta På Liseberg and So Awkward.

Karl Queensborough’s theatre credits include Hamilton in the West End; Lady M at Shanghai Culture Square; The Big Life - The SKA Musical at Stratford East; Sylvia for London’s Old Vic Theatre and Zoo Nation; The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales at Shakespeare's Globe and Bristol Old Vic; 365 for National Theatre of Scotland; Only the Brave at Soho Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre; Ignition Out of Reach for Frantic Assembly, and many productions for Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. His television credits include The Talent, The Crown, Wednesday’s Child, Misfits and Sex, Lies and DVDs.

Ewan Wardrop returns to Wise Children after appearing in The Buddha of Suburbia at the RSC and Barbican Theatre, and Bagdad Café at London’s Old Vic. His theatre credits also include A Monster Calls on tour in the UK and US; The American Clock at The Old Vic Theatre; Enron and The Wind in the Willows in the West End; UK tours of Formby, Rebecca, Far From The Madding Crowd and Treasure Island; Much Ado About Nothing, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe; The Deep Blue Sea and Rattigan’s Nijinsky at Chichester Festival Theatre; Beauty and the Beast for the RSC; Play Without Words at the National Theatre; Dick Whittington at Sadler’s Wells, and On Your Toes at Royal Festival Hall. His screen credits include Matthew Bourne’s Christmas and Greek Vase. He has previously appeared at the Theatre Royal Bath in Faeries in 2008, Enron in 2010 and Rebecca in 2015.

The 1959 film North by Northwest was produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason.

The new stage adaptation of North by Northwest is a Wise Children co-production with York Theatre Royal, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse. The tour started at York Theatre Royal before touring to HOME Manchester, Liverpool Playhouse, Theatre Royal Bath, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and London’s Alexandra Palace Theatre.

The creative team, working alongside director Emma Rice, are set and costume designer Rob Howell, sound designer Simon Baker, lighting designer Malcolm Rippeth, choreographer and movement director Etta Murfitt and creative consultant Mark Kaufman.

Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest tours to the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 May. To book tickets, contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on +44 (0)1225 448844 or book online at theatreroyal.org.uk.