Stage Adaptation Of Hitchcock’s North By Northwest Comes To Liverpool Playhouse Theatre This May

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, CITY CENTRE, CITY OF LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Classic Thriller, North by Northwest, Runs At The Liverpool Playhouse In A Brand-New Adaptation By Wise Children’s Emma Rice, From Tuesday The 20th To Saturday The 24th Of May 2025

Liverpool Playhouse will welcome the daring thriller, North By Northwest, to their stage as part of a UK Tour for the show (Credit: Steve Tanner/Supplied/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian with permission to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

North By Northwest tells the story of Roger Thornhill, who's mistimed call to his mother lands him in the middle of a Cold War conspiracy. On the run, he’s dodging spies, planes, and a mysterious femme fatale.

Theatre legend Emma Rice takes on film icon Alfred Hitchcock in this riotously funny reworking that turns the original thriller on its head. With just six shape-shifting performers, a fabulous 1950s soundtrack and many, many suitcases, this dazzling production plays with the heart, mind and soul. Join The Playhouse for a night of glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths.

Liverpool Playhouse will welcome the daring thriller, North By Northwest, to their stage as part of a UK Tour for the show (Credit: Steve Tanner/Supplied/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian with permission to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

Emma Rice was named one of the Sky Arts Top 50 most influential British artists. She was with Kneehigh Theatre for 20 years as an actor, director, and later artistic director, working alongside co-artistic director Mike Shepherd. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe before founding her own touring theatre company, Wise Children. The company has toured all over the world, and this will be their first visit to Liverpool.

Emma Rice, Director of North By Northwest, said: “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.”

Liverpool Playhouse will welcome the daring thriller, North By Northwest, to their stage as part of a UK Tour for the show (Credit: Steve Tanner/Supplied/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian with permission to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

Roger Thornhill is played by Ewan Wardrop (A Monster Calls, UK tour, US tour), and Phillip Vandamm by Karl Queensborough (Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre). Patrycja Kujawska (The Tin Drum, Kneehigh) takes on the role of Eve Kendall, and Mirabelle Gremaud (Peter Pan, Birmingham Rep) plays Anna. Both previously appeared in the acclaimed production Wise Children by the company of the same name. Katy Owen returned to the company to play The Professor, she previously appeared in The Buddha of Suburbia, Blue Beard, and Wuthering Heights, all produced by Wise Children. Rounding out the cast is Simon Oskarsson (Hadestown, Lyric Theatre) as Valerian.

Joining Emma Rice in the creative team 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.

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.” - Emma Rice, Director of North By Northwest.

Alongside the tour, Wise Children is also holding a Technical Taster Workshop on Wednesday 21 May for the next generation of theatre-makers, and a Teacher and Educator CPD Workshop on Thursday 22 May for teachers, educators, lecturers, facilitators, and youth theatre leaders. The session focuses on multidisciplinary techniques that foster creativity, collaboration, and ensemble storytelling.

North by Northwest is a co-production between Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Wise Children, York Theatre Royal, and HOME Manchester. There will be a captioned performance on the evening of Wednesday the 21st of May, followed by a post-show Q&A.

Liverpool Playhouse will welcome the daring thriller, North By Northwest, to their stage as part of a UK Tour for the show (Credit: Steve Tanner/Supplied/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian with permission to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

Where Is The Liverpool Playhouse?

Liverpool Playhouse Theatre,

Williamson Square,

The Cultural Quarter,

Liverpool City Centre,

City of Liverpool L1 1EL,

Liverpool City Region, UK.

North by Northwest runs from Tuesday the 20th to Saturday the 24th of May, with ticket prices ranging from £11 to £36. Tickets are available at The Playhouse's website.