THE 39 STEPS auditions

Richard Hannay – 20’s – 50’s. Male identifying character. Any race or ethnicity. One half of the leading duo who possesses the Hitchcock-esque suave, dashing, debonaire qualities. He is an artistic soul, a rebel, and an everyman capable of unlocking a secret heart filled with will and determination, cunning and vulnerability. Actor must be an adept physical comedian, a great listener and responder, and ensemble member.

Annabella/Pamela/Margaret – 20’s – 50’s. Female identifying character. Any race or ethnicity. One half of the leading duo who possesses physical, emotional, and comedic prowess. Actor will play all three roles below.

–Annabella: a brilliant but marked Russian woman who is on the run from spies and killed at their hand. Russian accent preferred.

–Pamela: a quintessential Hitchcock-esqe leading lady. She is bold, emotionally, and intellectually intelligent, powerful, and fashionable. English accent required.

–Margaret: a small-town farm worker married off to a cruel man; she is eager to see the world, to help Richard out when he stumbles upon her farm and is willing to risk the consequences from her abusive husband in following her heart and gut. Scottish accent required.

Clown #1 & Clown #2 – Any age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Vivacious, debonair, and with substantial authority, the clowns expertly execute all the other roles (around twenty seven) with Olympian prowess and skillful comedic timing. Versatility with European accents is a plus. Must be able and willing to reposition set pieces and move adroitly throughout stage and between roles.They must be physically agile, able to switch accents, have great comedic timing and perform physical comedy. They need to form a brilliant double act.

List of Known Characters Played By Clown #1 & Clown #2

Mr Memory — A performer at The London Palladium
Compere — Part of a comic partnership with Mr Memory
Thug/Heavy #1 & #2 (Under Lamp Post in Act 1, Car Chase in Act 2) — Scary goons who look menacing
Milkman — A working class Londoner with a cockney accent.
Mrs. Higgins – A Charlady at Hannay’s Apartment
Salesman #1 & #2 — Talkative underwear salesmen
Paperboy — Salesman #1 in same scene
Policeman #1 — Salesman #2 in same scene
Porter at Train Station — Salesman #2
Policeman #1 & #2 — same train different scene different cops?
Radio Announcer
Crofter — An aged, surly Scottish farmer married to a much younger woman, Margaret. He is suspicious of Hannay and informs on him.
Pilot #1 & #2 — Airplane pilots
Mrs Jordan — A severe elderly lady dressed as an eccentric. Married to Professor Jordan and involved in her husband’s activities.
Professor Jordan — A wealthy English professor who is secretly a German spy. The antagonist of the play. Tries to recruit Hannay to his cause then later tries to kill him.
Sheriff — An apparently jovial Scottish Sheriff who is secretly loyal to the Professor.
Chief Inspector — Scottish law enforcer
Dunwoody & McQuarrie — Two men setting up a political meeting. Dunwoody is Master of Ceremonies and is fussy and doddery. McQuarrie is the Chairman and is even more ancient and doddery.
Mr & Mrs McGarrigle — A Scottish couple who run a hotel. Mrs McGarrigle is a romantic and thinks Hannay and Pamela are a dear young couple.
The Professor — an assassin
Chief Inspector Albright — British law enforcer