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.

Theatre legend Emma Rice takes on film legend Alfred Hitchcock in this riotously funny reworking that turns the original thriller on its head. 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. Join us for a night of glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths.

Based on the Turner Entertainment Co. Film North by Northwest.

Produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Kay & McLean Productions.

Emma Rice

Director Read bio

Emma Rice is the proud Artistic Director of her company, Wise Children, and an internationally-respected theatre-maker and director. For Wise Children Emma has adapted and directed the following productions: Blue Beard, The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales, Wuthering Heights, Bagdad Cafe, Angela Carter’s Wise Children, Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers and Romantics Anonymous.

As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe (2016/18): Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales).

 Rice worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director, creating critically acclaimed productions including: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, The Wooden Frock, The Bacchae, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions); Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic); Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages) and Steptoe and Son.

Emma received the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre award at the 2019 UK Theatre Awards.

Rob Howell

Set and Costumer Designer

Simon Baker

Sound Designer

Malcolm Rippeth

Lighting Designer

Etta Murfitt

Movement/Choreographer

Mirabelle Gremaud

Anna and Others Read bio

Mirabelle Gremaud returns to the company to play Anna and Others - she previously appeared in Blue Beard (UK tour), Wise Children (Old Vic Theatre/UK tour), Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour), and Wuthering Heights (Bristol Old Vic/National Theare/UK tour). Her theatre credits as an actress/dancer and contortionist include Le Conte des Contes (Théâtre Kléber-Mélau), Peter Pan (Birmingham Rep), Swan Lake (The Lost Estate), Acrojou (Roundhouse), Falling (Complicité), and her solo show Sombre Sloughing (UK and European tour).

Patrycja Kujawska

Eve Kendall and Others Read bio

Patrycja Kujawska returns to the company to play Eve Kendall and Others – she previously appeared in Blue Beard (UK tour), Bagdad Cafe (Old Vic Theatre), and Wise Children (Old Vic Theatre/UK tour). Her other theatre credits include Cyrano, The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic), The Tin Drum, Midnight’s Pumpkin, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (Kneehigh), The Red Shoes, The Wild Bride, Tristan and Yseult (Kneehigh/UK tour/US tour), Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and Other Love Songs) (Kneehigh/UK tour/Shanghai tour), Don John (RSC), Drop Dead Gorgeous, Let The Mountains Lead You To Love, Punch Drunk, Fairy Tale, Test Run, If We Go On, Underworld (Vincent Dance Theatre), Broken Chords and Motherland (Vincent Dance Theatre/UK tour/US tour).

Katy Owen

The Professor and Others Read bio

Katy Owen returns to the company to play The Professor and Others - she previously appeared in The Little Match Girl and Happier Tales, Blue Beard (UK tour), The Buddha of Suburbia (RSC/Barbican Centre), Wise Children (Old Vic Theatre/UK tour), and Wuthering Heights (Bristol Old Vic/National Theatre). Her other theatre credits include UBU Karaoke!, Rebecca (Kneehigh), David Copperfield (Riverside Studios), The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales (Bristol Old Vic/Shakespeare's Globe), Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare's Globe), 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tipps (Kneehigh/Shakespeare's Globe/UK tour), The World of Work, The Night Before Christmas (Chapter Arts Centre), Apparitions of Spirits with the Forsythe Sisters (Gaggle Babble), Maudie's Rooms, Plum - and Me, Will!, Cinders (Sherman Theatre), Ill Met by Moonlight (Wales Millennium Centre) and The Tempest (Theatr Iolo). Her television credits include The Story of Tracy Beaker; and for film, Cyrano and Daddy’s Girl.

Simon Oskarsson

Valerian and Others Read bio

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

Karl Queensborough

Phillip Vandamm and Others Read bio

Karl Queensborough plays Phillip Vandamm and Others. His theatre credits include Lady M (Shanghai Culture Square), The Big Life – The SKA Musical (Stratford East), Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), White Teeth, A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes (Kiln Theatre), Sylvia (Old Vic Theatre/Zoo Nation), The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales (Shakespeare's Globe/Bristol Old Vic), The Machine Stops (York Theatre Royal/Pilot Theatre), Only the Brave (Soho Theatre/Wales Millennium Centre/Bird Song), Aladdin, Cinderella, Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk (Lyric Theatre Hammersmith), Dayglo, Mind the Gap, (Y Touring); Morning (Lyric Theatre Hammersmith/Traverse Theatre), 365 (National Theatre of Scotland), and Ignition Out of Reach (Frantic Assembly). His television credits include The Talent, The Crown, Enterprice, Misfits, Wednesday’s Child, and Sex, Lies and DVDs.

Ewan Wardrop

Roger Thornhill Read bio

Ewan Wardrop returns to the company to play Roger Thornhill – he previously appeared in The Buddha of Suburbia (RSC/Barbican Theatre) and Bagdad Café (Old Vic Theatre). His other theatre credits include A Monster Calls (UK tour, US tour), The American Clock (Old Vic Theatre), Formby, Rebecca, Far From The Madding Crowd, Treasure Island (UK tours), Much Ado About Nothing, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Wind in the Willows (Vaudeville Theatre/Duchess Theatre), The Deep Blue Sea, Rattigan’s Nijinsky (Chichester Festival Theatre), Enron (Noël Coward Theatre/Royal Court Theatre/UK tour), Johnno (Derby Playhouse/Brisbane Powerhouse), Up from the Waste (Soho Theatre), Promises Promises (Sheffield Theatres), Beauty and the Beast (RSC), On Your Toes (Royal Festival Hall), Play Without Words (National Theatre) and Dick Whittington (Sadlers Wells). His television credits include Matthew Bourne’s Christmas and Greek Vase.

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Presented by HOME and Wise Children

Wise Children Technical Taster Workshop

Fri 2 May, 12:30 - 16:00

Come and learn first-hand from our award winning technical staff what it takes to work backstage on a Wise Children production.

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Wise Children Theatre Maker Taster

Fri 9 May, 10:30 - 17:00

Wise Children’s Training Programme is offering a unique opportunity for theatre makers aged 18+.

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Film Course: Alfred Hitchcock and the Audience Who Knew Too Much

Tue 18 Mar 18:30

This eight-week course explores the cinema of Alfred Hitchcock, tracing his career from silent film and British cinema to his late Hollywood masterpieces.

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Wise Children’s Teacher and Educator CPD Workshop

Thu 8 May 16:00

Put into practice the Wise Children method and learn unique multi-disciplinary techniques to encourage creativity, joy and ensemble storytelling in this workshop for teachers, educators,…

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Presented by HOME

HOME Theatre Season 2025

Wed 8 Jan - Thu 5 Jun 2025

Running from Wed 8 Jan – Sat 7 Jun, audiences can look forward to a thrilling line-up featuring a global smash hit, a riotously funny…

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Age Guidance: 11+

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Join as HOME Friend or Member and get 15% off new season shows* until 25 Nov!

*excludes PUSH and Coraline

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Friends – 14 Nov

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General – 25 Nov

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