The 39 Steps
Criterion Theatre, London
Now Booking
Call the Box Office: 020 7839 4489
John Buchan's gripping whodunit - memorably filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935 - is thrillingly adapted for the stage and transfers to the West End after a sensational sell-out run at the Tricycle Theatre.
Nothing has been cut from this hilarious and spectacular version of Britain's most spell-binding thriller - legendary scenes include The Chase on the Flying Scotsman, The Escape on the Forth Bridge, The First Theatrical Bi-Plane Crash ever staged and the death-defying (or nearly!) finale at the London Palladium.
With four actors playing a minimum of one hundred and thirty-nine roles, The 39 Steps proves to be the most astonishing theatrical tour de force of the year.
Winner Best New Comedy
Olivier Awards 2007
Winner Best New Comedy
Whatsonstage Award 2007
"Clever, very funny, imaginative and brilliantly acted"
The Guradian
"A dizzy theatrical game played with wit and versatility" * * * *
The Times
"Hugely entertaining... . Clever, witty, ingenious" * * * *
Sunday Times
"Dizzyingly entertaining show"
Daily Telegraph
"A wonderful triumph of theatre"
BBC Radio 4
"Rollicking fun"
The Times
"A joyous version of the Hitchcock classic. * * * *"
Sunday Times
"Just the ticket"
Evening Standard
"What the West End has been waiting for"
The Observer
"Hilarious. * * * *"
Sunday Express
Nigel Betts Man 2
Jo Stone-Fewings Richard Hannay
Tessa Churchard Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret
Alan Perrin Man 1
Nicholas Atkinson Understudy Hannay
Anna Anderson Understudy Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret
Simon Lloyd Understudy Man
Adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow
Director Maria Aitken
Designer Peter McKintosh
Lighting Designer Ian Scott
Sound Designer Mic Pool
Movement Director Toby Sedgwick
From an original concept by Simon Corble & Nobby Dimon
Jo Stone-Fewings Richard Hannay
Tessa Churchard Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret
Alan Perrin Man 1
Nicholas Atkinson Understudy Hannay
Anna Anderson Understudy Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret
Simon Lloyd Understudy Man
Adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow
Director Maria Aitken
Designer Peter McKintosh
Lighting Designer Ian Scott
Sound Designer Mic Pool
Movement Director Toby Sedgwick
From an original concept by Simon Corble & Nobby Dimon
For press enquiries, please contact Cameron Duncan:
+44 (0)141 552 3488
+44 (0)141 552 3488
Biography: Nigel Betts
Theatre: Nigel has worked in theatre all over England including seasons at Bristol Old Vic, York, Cheltenham and the West Yorkshire Playhouse. One his favourite parts was the title role in CYRANO DE BERJERAC at Lancaster. He has also appeared in the West End and at the National Theatre, recently in the Gunpowder season with the RSC and in Ireland where he played leading roles in THE CONSTANT COUPLE and THE RECRUITING OFFICER. Nigel was just seen at the Bush Theatre in TINDERBOX.
Television: Nigel has appeared as a semi regular in EMMERDALE. He has also appeared in CORONATION STREET, EASTENDERS and most recently, TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION, THE BILL and as Ray in THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW. Other credits include SHARPE, HOLBY CITY, CASUALTY, MIDSOMER MURDERS, A TOUCH OF FROST, INSPECTOR LYNLEY and SILENT WITNESS.
Film includes: THUNDERPANTS, PAPER MASK, THE WHIPPING BOY, DESERT FLOWER and most recently as Philip in MRS RATCLIFFE'S REVOLUTION.
Theatre: Nigel has worked in theatre all over England including seasons at Bristol Old Vic, York, Cheltenham and the West Yorkshire Playhouse. One his favourite parts was the title role in CYRANO DE BERJERAC at Lancaster. He has also appeared in the West End and at the National Theatre, recently in the Gunpowder season with the RSC and in Ireland where he played leading roles in THE CONSTANT COUPLE and THE RECRUITING OFFICER. Nigel was just seen at the Bush Theatre in TINDERBOX.
Television: Nigel has appeared as a semi regular in EMMERDALE. He has also appeared in CORONATION STREET, EASTENDERS and most recently, TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION, THE BILL and as Ray in THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW. Other credits include SHARPE, HOLBY CITY, CASUALTY, MIDSOMER MURDERS, A TOUCH OF FROST, INSPECTOR LYNLEY and SILENT WITNESS.
Film includes: THUNDERPANTS, PAPER MASK, THE WHIPPING BOY, DESERT FLOWER and most recently as Philip in MRS RATCLIFFE'S REVOLUTION.
Biography: Tessa Churchard
Theatre credits include: BLITHE SPIRIT (Watford Palace); THE FABULIST (Old Red Lion); LADY OF LEISURE (Liverpool Playhouse); AS YOU DESIRE ME (Playhouse Theatre, West End); GALILEO'S DAUGHTER, MAN AND SUPERMAN, DON JUAN (Peter Hall Company, Bath Theatre Royal); STILL LIFE/THE ASTONISHED HEART (Liverpool Playhouse); Belinda in NOISES OFF (Piccadilly Theatre, West End); Poppy in NOISES OFF (Comedy Theatre, West End); REMEMBER THIS (Royal National Theatre); COMMUNICATING DOORS, LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN (Theatre Royal, Northampton); POINT OF DEATH (Liverpool Playhouse) and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre).
Film and television credits include: DOCTORS (BBC); THE GRAIN CHEST (CK Productions); FAMILY AFFAIRS (Talkback Thames); CASUALTY (BBC); MUMMY (NFTS); HARRINGHAM HARKER (BBC); JEEVES AND WOOSTER (ITV) and THE BILL (Talkback Thames).
Theatre credits include: BLITHE SPIRIT (Watford Palace); THE FABULIST (Old Red Lion); LADY OF LEISURE (Liverpool Playhouse); AS YOU DESIRE ME (Playhouse Theatre, West End); GALILEO'S DAUGHTER, MAN AND SUPERMAN, DON JUAN (Peter Hall Company, Bath Theatre Royal); STILL LIFE/THE ASTONISHED HEART (Liverpool Playhouse); Belinda in NOISES OFF (Piccadilly Theatre, West End); Poppy in NOISES OFF (Comedy Theatre, West End); REMEMBER THIS (Royal National Theatre); COMMUNICATING DOORS, LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN (Theatre Royal, Northampton); POINT OF DEATH (Liverpool Playhouse) and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre).Film and television credits include: DOCTORS (BBC); THE GRAIN CHEST (CK Productions); FAMILY AFFAIRS (Talkback Thames); CASUALTY (BBC); MUMMY (NFTS); HARRINGHAM HARKER (BBC); JEEVES AND WOOSTER (ITV) and THE BILL (Talkback Thames).
Biography: Alan Perrin
Alan trained at Wimbledon School of Art and Webber Douglas.
Theatre includes: HIS DARK MATERIALS, THE TRIAL, GILGAMESH, RICHARD III, NAPOLI MILLIONARIA (Royal National Theatre); INSIGNIFICANCE (Northampton); WATERS OF THE MOON (Salisbury Playhouse); AFTER THE DANCE (Oxford Stage Company); ETHEL AND EARNEST, THE MAN WHO….,RITUAL IN BLOOD (Nottingham Playhouse). Work for The Wrestling School includes: SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION. Work for Steven Berkoff includes: GREEK, THE TRIAL, SALOME.
Other theatre work includes: CYRANNO DE BERGERAC, HENRY V (RSC);THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, THE WHITE DEVIL, THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE (Leicester Haymarket); GRIMM TALES (Young Vic); RAGE, THE CLEARING (Bush); EAST, GREEK (Manchester Library); RICHARD II (Oldham Coliseum); SAILOR BEWARE (Chester Gateway).
Television includes: EASTENDERS, THE BILL, WING AND A PRAYER (Thames); PLOTLANDS, BETWEEN THE LINES (BBC); THE KNOCK, LONDON'S BURNING (LWT); PRIME SUSPECT (Granada); PRESS GANG (Richmond Films / Channel 4); WYCLIFFE (HTV); WORK (Channel 4).
Films includes: FEAST OF JULY, THE LIVING IN THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD, DARK CORNERS.
Alan trained at Wimbledon School of Art and Webber Douglas.
Theatre includes: HIS DARK MATERIALS, THE TRIAL, GILGAMESH, RICHARD III, NAPOLI MILLIONARIA (Royal National Theatre); INSIGNIFICANCE (Northampton); WATERS OF THE MOON (Salisbury Playhouse); AFTER THE DANCE (Oxford Stage Company); ETHEL AND EARNEST, THE MAN WHO….,RITUAL IN BLOOD (Nottingham Playhouse). Work for The Wrestling School includes: SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION. Work for Steven Berkoff includes: GREEK, THE TRIAL, SALOME.
Other theatre work includes: CYRANNO DE BERGERAC, HENRY V (RSC);THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, THE WHITE DEVIL, THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE (Leicester Haymarket); GRIMM TALES (Young Vic); RAGE, THE CLEARING (Bush); EAST, GREEK (Manchester Library); RICHARD II (Oldham Coliseum); SAILOR BEWARE (Chester Gateway).
Television includes: EASTENDERS, THE BILL, WING AND A PRAYER (Thames); PLOTLANDS, BETWEEN THE LINES (BBC); THE KNOCK, LONDON'S BURNING (LWT); PRIME SUSPECT (Granada); PRESS GANG (Richmond Films / Channel 4); WYCLIFFE (HTV); WORK (Channel 4).
Films includes: FEAST OF JULY, THE LIVING IN THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD, DARK CORNERS.
Biography: Jo Stone-Fewings
Jo trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
West End theatre: THE COUNTRY WIFE (Haymarket); SEE HOW THEY RUN (Duchess) and RICHARD III (RSC/Savoy).
Other recent theatre: ANGELS IN AMERICA (Tour and Lyric Hammersmith); KING LEAR and THE SCARLET LETTER (both Chichester); THE UNTHINKABLE (Sheffield Crucible); STILL LIFE and THE ASTONISHED HEART (both Liverpool Playhouse); CRAZYBLACKMUTHAF**KINSELF (Royal Court); THE MISANTHROPE (Young Vic); THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Royal Exchange); 1 OVER THE 8 (Scarborough); KING JOHN, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, HENRY VIII, CYMBELINE, HENRY VI PART III, THE PARK (all Royal Shakespeare Company); SHADOW OF A BOY, WAR AND PEACE, FUENTE OVEJUNA, GHETTO (all National Theatre).
Television includes: TALK TO ME, DOCTOR WHO, MINE ALL MINE, MIDSOMER MURDERS, YOUNG ARTHUR, BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, PEAK PRACTICE, ALL THE KING'S MEN, THE PRINCE, MEDICS I and II, WAITING FOR GOD, MOON AND SONS, THE BILL, SOLDIER, SOLDIER, SHRINKS.
Films: NINE LIVES, OBLIVION, THE OBJECT II, DEADLY ADVICE and AMERICAN FRIENDS.
Radio includes: BOOK OF THE WEEK: VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE, KIND HEARTS, FAMILY PROJECT and other plays for the BBC.
Jo trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
West End theatre: THE COUNTRY WIFE (Haymarket); SEE HOW THEY RUN (Duchess) and RICHARD III (RSC/Savoy).
Other recent theatre: ANGELS IN AMERICA (Tour and Lyric Hammersmith); KING LEAR and THE SCARLET LETTER (both Chichester); THE UNTHINKABLE (Sheffield Crucible); STILL LIFE and THE ASTONISHED HEART (both Liverpool Playhouse); CRAZYBLACKMUTHAF**KINSELF (Royal Court); THE MISANTHROPE (Young Vic); THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Royal Exchange); 1 OVER THE 8 (Scarborough); KING JOHN, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, HENRY VIII, CYMBELINE, HENRY VI PART III, THE PARK (all Royal Shakespeare Company); SHADOW OF A BOY, WAR AND PEACE, FUENTE OVEJUNA, GHETTO (all National Theatre).
Television includes: TALK TO ME, DOCTOR WHO, MINE ALL MINE, MIDSOMER MURDERS, YOUNG ARTHUR, BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, PEAK PRACTICE, ALL THE KING'S MEN, THE PRINCE, MEDICS I and II, WAITING FOR GOD, MOON AND SONS, THE BILL, SOLDIER, SOLDIER, SHRINKS.
Films: NINE LIVES, OBLIVION, THE OBJECT II, DEADLY ADVICE and AMERICAN FRIENDS.
Radio includes: BOOK OF THE WEEK: VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE, KIND HEARTS, FAMILY PROJECT and other plays for the BBC.
Biography: Patrick Barlow Writer
Patrick Barlow created the National Theatre of Brent in 1980, in which he plays Artistic Director and Chief Executive Desmond Olivier Dingle. Their legendary two-man epics for the theatre include THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, ZULU!, THE BALCK HOLD OF CALCUTTA, WAGNER'S RING CYCLE. THE MESSIAH (Tricycle Theatre), THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SEX, THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (Tricycle Theatre), LOVE UPON THE THRONE – THE CHARLES AND DIANA STORY (nominated for an Olivier) and THE WONDER OF SEX at the National Theatre. Their complete history of the world ALL THE WORLD'S A GLOBE (with Jim Broadbent) was transmitted on Radio 4 and won a Sony Gold Award for Best Adapted Comedy and Premier Ondas for Best European Comedy. More recent radio work (with John Ramm and Martin Duncan) includes the COMPLETE AND UTTER HISTORY OF THE MONA LISA which won a Sony Gold for Best Comedy and New York Festival Award for Best Comedy and THE MESSIAH which was transmitted on Radio 4 in Christmas 2006. Most recently the company presented their acclaimed series THE ARTS AND HOW THEY WAS DONE which was transmitted (also on Radio 4) in April 2007. Please refer to nationaltheatreofbrent.com for full and unexpurgated details of the company's work and history.
Besides the National Theatre of Brent, Patrick wrote the libretto for the JUDGEMENT OF PARIS for the Covent Garden Venture (music by John Woolrich) and REQUIEM FOR A RELATIONSHIP for the Gogmagog Theatre Company with music by Django Bates.
Film and television writing includes: THE GROWING PAINS OF ADRIAN MOLE, THE GHOST OF FAFFNER HALL, SCARFE ON SEX, MIGHTY MOMENTS FROM WORLD HISTORY, THE MESSIAH, THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, QUEEN OF THE EAST, VAN GOGH (Prix Futura Berlin Film Festival), FRENCH REVOLUTION!! (Best Comedy Film Jerusalem Film Festival), MASSIVE LANDMARKS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and THE YOUNG VISITERS adapted from the novel by Daisy Ashford, starring Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie.
Apart from National Theatre of Brent, his other radio writing includes THE COMPLEAT LIFE AND WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE; THE PATRICK AND MAUREEN MAYBE MUSIC EXPERIENCE with Imelda Staunton.
Publications include: ALL THE WORLD'S A GLOBE, SHAKESPEARE: THE TRUTH!, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WHOLE WORLD, LOVE UPON THE THRONE, THE MESSIAH and THE WONDER OF SEX.
Theatre acting includes: THE KNACK, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LOOT, THE COMMON PURSUIT, SILLY COW and Toad in Alan Bennett's THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS.
Film acting includes: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, NOTTING HILL, THE GIRL FROM RIO, THE DIARY OF BRIDGET JONES, NANNY MCPHEE and most recently Woody Allen's SCOOP.
Television acting includes: TALK TO ME, ALL PASSION SPENT, ARISTOPHANES, COWS, FRENCH AND SAUNDERS, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, A BIT OF FRY AND LAURIE, IS IT LEGAL?, GOODBYE MR STEADMAN, HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, MURDER IN SUBURBIA, SHAKESPEARE'S HAPPY ENDINGS, MARPLE, JAM AND JERUSALEM and most recently SENSITIVE SKIN.
Radio acting includes: THE MIDSUMMER MARRIAGE, THE DIARY OF ADAM AND EVE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, CHRISTMAS EVE, RENT, THE FURNITURE PLAY, VOLPONE, JUST PLAIN GARDENING and Terry Pratchett's SMALL GODS. He is a regular contributor to LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PAST and QUOTE UNQUOTE.
Patrick won an Olivier Award and What's Onstage Award for Best New Comedy for his adaptation of THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS.
Patrick Barlow created the National Theatre of Brent in 1980, in which he plays Artistic Director and Chief Executive Desmond Olivier Dingle. Their legendary two-man epics for the theatre include THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, ZULU!, THE BALCK HOLD OF CALCUTTA, WAGNER'S RING CYCLE. THE MESSIAH (Tricycle Theatre), THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SEX, THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (Tricycle Theatre), LOVE UPON THE THRONE – THE CHARLES AND DIANA STORY (nominated for an Olivier) and THE WONDER OF SEX at the National Theatre. Their complete history of the world ALL THE WORLD'S A GLOBE (with Jim Broadbent) was transmitted on Radio 4 and won a Sony Gold Award for Best Adapted Comedy and Premier Ondas for Best European Comedy. More recent radio work (with John Ramm and Martin Duncan) includes the COMPLETE AND UTTER HISTORY OF THE MONA LISA which won a Sony Gold for Best Comedy and New York Festival Award for Best Comedy and THE MESSIAH which was transmitted on Radio 4 in Christmas 2006. Most recently the company presented their acclaimed series THE ARTS AND HOW THEY WAS DONE which was transmitted (also on Radio 4) in April 2007. Please refer to nationaltheatreofbrent.com for full and unexpurgated details of the company's work and history.Besides the National Theatre of Brent, Patrick wrote the libretto for the JUDGEMENT OF PARIS for the Covent Garden Venture (music by John Woolrich) and REQUIEM FOR A RELATIONSHIP for the Gogmagog Theatre Company with music by Django Bates.
Film and television writing includes: THE GROWING PAINS OF ADRIAN MOLE, THE GHOST OF FAFFNER HALL, SCARFE ON SEX, MIGHTY MOMENTS FROM WORLD HISTORY, THE MESSIAH, THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, QUEEN OF THE EAST, VAN GOGH (Prix Futura Berlin Film Festival), FRENCH REVOLUTION!! (Best Comedy Film Jerusalem Film Festival), MASSIVE LANDMARKS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and THE YOUNG VISITERS adapted from the novel by Daisy Ashford, starring Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie.
Apart from National Theatre of Brent, his other radio writing includes THE COMPLEAT LIFE AND WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE; THE PATRICK AND MAUREEN MAYBE MUSIC EXPERIENCE with Imelda Staunton.
Publications include: ALL THE WORLD'S A GLOBE, SHAKESPEARE: THE TRUTH!, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WHOLE WORLD, LOVE UPON THE THRONE, THE MESSIAH and THE WONDER OF SEX.
Theatre acting includes: THE KNACK, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LOOT, THE COMMON PURSUIT, SILLY COW and Toad in Alan Bennett's THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS.
Film acting includes: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, NOTTING HILL, THE GIRL FROM RIO, THE DIARY OF BRIDGET JONES, NANNY MCPHEE and most recently Woody Allen's SCOOP.
Television acting includes: TALK TO ME, ALL PASSION SPENT, ARISTOPHANES, COWS, FRENCH AND SAUNDERS, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, A BIT OF FRY AND LAURIE, IS IT LEGAL?, GOODBYE MR STEADMAN, HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, MURDER IN SUBURBIA, SHAKESPEARE'S HAPPY ENDINGS, MARPLE, JAM AND JERUSALEM and most recently SENSITIVE SKIN.
Radio acting includes: THE MIDSUMMER MARRIAGE, THE DIARY OF ADAM AND EVE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, CHRISTMAS EVE, RENT, THE FURNITURE PLAY, VOLPONE, JUST PLAIN GARDENING and Terry Pratchett's SMALL GODS. He is a regular contributor to LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PAST and QUOTE UNQUOTE.
Patrick won an Olivier Award and What's Onstage Award for Best New Comedy for his adaptation of THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS.
2007/08
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