The 39 Steps Tickets

About The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps is a classic British spy-story: a gripping whodunit which moves along at lightning speed. This theatrical version of The 39 Steps, adapted from the John Buchan’s novel, succeeds in staging some truly daring escape scenes from the Hitchcock film: scenes many thought impossible to recreate in the theatre.

Show story

The 39 Steps tells the story of Richard Hannay, a Canadian visiting London. Whilst at a performance by ‘Mr Memory’, shots are fired and in the confusion a strange woman invites herself back to his house. She tells him about a spy-ring called ‘The 39 Steps’. In the night she is murdered and Hannay goes on the run to uncover the truth about the shadowy 39 Steps and prove his innocence.

The 39 Steps background

Originally a novel by John Buchan, The 39 Steps has been adapted into three films, with Alfred Hitchcock’s version the best known. Patrick Barlow’s stage adaptation of The 39 Steps is closer to the movie than the novel and includes all the legendary scenes. From the roof-top chase on the Flying Scotsman to the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged.

Actors and action

Amazingly, The 39 Steps’ four actors play a minimum of 139 roles each. Simon Gregor, Robert Portal, Rachel Pickup and Jimmy Chisholm move from one character to another, using subtle changes of costume, accent and props. The 39 Steps is an entertaining yarn given a touch of irreverence by director Maria Aitken.