The Old Globe Presents “North by Northwest”
The North American premiere of Emma Rice Company, Kay & McLean Productions and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions co-production’s “North by Northwest” comes to The Old Globe from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, August 2, 2026. Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, Hitchcock’s classic thriller is transformed into a high-speed ride full of laughs and suspense.
Direct from England, theatre legend Emma Rice brings to the Globe her inventive take on the Alfred Hitchcock classic “North by Northwest” in a production hailed as “an undoubted triumph”. When ad man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a Cold War spy, he goes on the run dodging airplanes, bad guys and a femme fatale who may not be what she seems. With seven shape-shifting performers, a swinging ‘50s soundtrack, and the iconic backdrop of Mount Rushmore, Rice transforms the beloved thriller into a riotously funny high-speed theatrical ride.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring the North American premiere of “North by Northwest” to The Old Globe,” said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “The brilliant Emma Rice has taken Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece and completely reimagined it for the stage with her signature theatrical magic. A joyful piece of theatre, full of whimsy and dazzling storytelling, “North by Northwest” was a smash hit in England, and I cannot wait for its San Diego premiere to launch it onto a similar trajectory here. Globe audiences are in for an unforgettable, high-octane evening of pure theatrical invention.”
The cast of “North by Northwest” includes Danny Collins as Roger Thornhill (“Manchester Royal Exchange’s Singin’ in the Rain”), Evangeline Dickson as Mrs. Townsend (MAC/LeicesterCurve’s “The Owl Who Came For Christmas, Patrycja Kujawska as Eve Kendall (Old Vic Theatre’s “Wise Children”), Simon Oskarsson as Valerian (The Lucky Chance’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”), Katy Owen as The Professor (Old Vic Theatre’s “Wise Children”), Bryony Pennington as Anna (The National Theatre’s “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”), and Karl Queensborough as Phillip Vandamm (Victoria Palace’s “Hamilton” – Lead Role).
In addition to director Emma Rice, the creative team also includes Rob Howell (scenic and costume design); Simon Baker (composer and sound design); Malcolm Rippeth (lighting design); Etta Murfitt (movement director, choreographer, and intimacy coordinator); Mark Kaufman (creative consultant); and Kev McCurdy (fight director); Helen Lainsbury (company stage manager on book), and Zoë Mackinnon (stage manager).
“North by Northwest” will play in the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage at the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park (1363 Old Globe Way). Tickets are available online at TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE (234-5623), and in person at the Globe’s Box Office in Balboa Park.
Category: Books, Film, Local News, Nonprofit, Theatre
