It is rare that a whole room full of people can agree on one thing. That is the thought that passed my mind as I clocked people’s reactions after watching Derby Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre Production The 39 Steps.
Adapted by Patrick Barlow from John Buchan’s adventure novel and immortalised on the silver screen in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 classic, the inspired take is more comedy thriller than deathly serious political drama.
Dashing Richard Hannay is embroiled knee-deep in mystery where murder and mayhem are all part of the Monty Python-esque plot.
Our valiant hero is first seen listlessly pacing his London flat, feeling he lacks direction as he ponders life while sipping whisky.
Following an encounter with the intriguing Annabella who he invites home for safety, a murder sees our patriotic hero pick his way from one end of the country to the other, all the way up to Scotland, as he tries to unravel a grand conspiracy, save his beloved country and win the girl.
The four-hander sees a core cast play multiple characters, from corrupt policemen and clowns to crofters and spies.
Calling the play funny is not enough. It is so very clever, hilarious and this season’s must-watch.
Sophia Bloor’s (Annabella, Pamela, Crofter’s Wife) stage presence sparkles. One of my favourite parts is the early murder scene which has her doing ‘rigor mortis gymnastics’ on stunned Ryan Starling’s Richard Hannay.
From the moment we set eyes on Hannay, to the very end when he winks cheekily to the audience, Starling’s performance makes the play successfully dip into multiple genres of murder, romance, adventure and rip roarious comedy.
Every actor – and there are 130+ characters packed in the 2 hour’s long play – plays their part with conviction. James Keningale and Kathryn Perkins will stay in your mind well after you’ve left the theatre. From evil professor to saucy inn keeper, their expert comic timing and the way they bounce off one another gives the play an added complexity.
I hope the cast is getting well rested after each performance, which I can only imagine is gruelling, filled with running, leaping and gymnastics that would make Body Coach Joe Wicks proud.
The play pokes fun at well established tropes – romantic couples gazing into each other’s eyes, Bond style villains replete with a white cat being stroked.
A scene stealer comes in the lycra-clad form of Tom Mitchell Chief Inspector Albright.
Whenever Mitchell slid onstage, belly-laughs were guaranteed incoming thanks to his entertaining rendition of having to pretend to be invisible while wearing black.
The cast have excellent chemistry and that dynamic shines a light on the soul of the play. It is physical comedy with real heart, where the audience is pulled headlong into a glorious escapade that doesn’t stop when the curtain falls (yes I am still thinking about the play 12 hours after watching).
The 39 Steps is showing at Derby Theatre from September 29 Sep till October 17, 2026.
For more information click here: derbytheatre.co.uk/event/39-steps