North By Northwest

Theatre Royal Bath

Until August 12

THERE are some plays you go to see at the theatre which remind you why it's worth going to the theatre - and North by Northwest is one of them.

This groundbreaking producion's wit, sassiness and inventiveness simply could not be replicated on film.

Brought to the stage by Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Kay & McLean Productions, it adds new life to the classic Hitchcock film staring Cary Grant.

Canadian Jonathan Watton takes on the role of the smooth, insouciant Roger O Thornhill and exudes all the charm and mischief originally brought to the role by Grant.

The Cold War is heating up and Thornhill finds himself the victim in a case of mistaken identity, with well-dressed thugs insisting he is George Kaplan, and there ensues a plot involving spies, double agents, deceit and murder.

The cast are to a man superb, bringing verve and dynamism to the fantastically sharp and witty dialogue.

But the truly fantastic thing about this production is the set and the very staging of the play. Gleaming glass panels serve as lifts, windows from skyscrapers, office walls and a cinematic backdrop to recreate the famous scene in which Thornhill is chased by a plane through a field. I can't tell you why it is so brilliantly clever, because that would ruin the surprise.

There is another surprise that had the audience roaring within the first five minutes of the play, but again, it would ruin the joy if I were to let the cat out of the bag now.

It's riotously good fun - although having seen the film and now the play, I still can't follow the plot! - and the atmosphere is enhancing by the sweeping, filmic score.

If you even vaguely like the theatre, make sure you go and see North by Northwest. It's exhilaratingly good.