The 39 Steps was originally written by John Buchan in 1915, and Alfred Hitchcock then created a classic spy film from the original concept in the 1930s. Adapted by playwright Patrick Barlow in 2005, this stage version will really keep you on your toes.
Set in 1935, the stage adaptation tells the story of hero Richard Hannay, played by Tom Bryne, who is just perfect for the role, and not just because of his pencil moustache! Whilst he endeavours to find out the true meaning of the 39 steps, he encounters murder, secret agents, and everything in between.
The show is billed as four actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes, and that, incredibly, is what they do, in hilarious and ridiculous situations!
Hannay is first seen living rather a boring life, but everything is set to change. He meets a beautiful young woman called Annabella at the theatre and steps into a world of espionage and the mysterious ’39 Steps.’
When Annabella, played by Safeena Ladha, is murdered at his flat, Hannay goes on the run to find out more about the 39 Steps and ends up in all sorts of situations, usually with the reluctant Pamela, also played by Ladha, whom he first meets – in hilarious circumstances – when he is fleeing to Scotland.
Although the set is sparse, the actors more than make up for this, sometimes acting as parts of the scenery themselves. The scenes on the train were particularly memorable and so cleverly executed, they really were a stroke of genius.
While Tom Byrne keeps to the character of Richard Hannay throughout, and Safeena Ladha plays three of the characters, it is Eugene McCoy and Maddie Rice, who manage to provide the rest of the characters throughout the show. And they are just incredible, hilariously funny and hugely entertaining. McCoy’s acting in the political rally is just genius. How he keeps in character in that scene I will never know.
This show is fast-paced, and good all-round fun.
★★★★
Tickets £10-£39
At Curve theatre until Saturday August 3
Access performances – Captioned: Friday August 2, 7:30pm
