"The 39 Steps - A Radio Play" by Riverside Drama Company.

The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

I love theatre that is different and I've also been lucky enough to see several plays that have been performed as radio plays, and great fun it is as well. It's like going back in time and watching the way they did things on the radio back in the heyday of radio plays.

Inspired by Hitchcock's classic tale, this romantic thriller is a fast-paced ride through the signature world of the Master of Suspense. Richard Hannay is visiting 1940s London when he meets Annabella Smith, who is on the run from foreign agents, after a disturbance at a music hall. Later that night, Annabella is murdered and Hannay must then try to break the spy ring and prove his innocence. From an epic train chase to a feisty love interest, Hannay has his work cut out for him as he searches for the truth about "The 39 Steps".

Even before the play starts you're greeted by the MC for the recording, Mr Mike Roe-Fone (Jonathan Greaves), asking how you are and generally chatting. Mike then introduces us to the live sound effects lady, Coco Nutts (Moya Magee), and she demonstrates some of the effects that we hear in the play. Then we are introduced to Dave (Dave Martin) on sound and lighting.

This is an immersive radio play so we are told, and shown what to look out for, when to applaud, boo and jeer, murmer, cheer and perform the "dun dun duuuun" - you know the thriller sound when there is danger afoot. All with a generous helping of parmesan, and all adds to the enjoyment of radio play we are about to experience.

We are then introduced to the radio actors, plus the actors who perform the live radio commercials and sponsors - yes, back in the day the radio "ads" were all performed live.

The actors all dress up for the parts, even though they weren't seen - well it is radio - and we also see how all of the live sound effects are created.

The set is how you'd expect a radio station recording studio would look, complete with those wonderful old chunky mics, and also creates a feel of the 1940's.

Let's get on to the main actors and their roles, several actors play various roles, with various accents. Some accents sound stereotypical Scottish and Cockney, and that adds to the fun of the evening.

Richard Hannay (Dan Bates), a dapper English gentleman, is bored—until Annabella Schmidt (Liz Turner) comes into his life and starts him on an heroic and hilarious journey from London to Scotland and back again. I love the clipped, effected, RP eccent that Dan provides the role, and how a simple moustache can change the way an actor can look. Tirribly tirribly good.

Annabella Schmidt, an exotic secret agent, is in dire need of Hannay’s help, but her life is in danger. Another wonderful accent - I do love a good accent, I've never heard "haddock" pronounced like that, nor the name "Scmiiiiidt". Wonderfully fun.

Pamela Stuart (Lizzie Norris), a beautiful woman who is lured into Hannay’s adventure but is sceptical of his claims of innocence. Pamela - or should that be "Pimela" is a really fun character for an actor to get to play. All Hooray Henry but with that underlying sexiness, and Lizzie brings that out spiffingly!

Margaret Crofter (Jenni Wright), the farmer’s wife, is a shy young woman who dreams of life and adventure in the city. Jenni gave you the impression, through Margaret, that Margaret was slightly in awe of the posh Southerner, which is why she helped Hannay to escape.

Mr Crofter (Dave Wilson), a deeply jealous and suspicious Scottish farmer who houses Hannay for a night while he is on the run. Love that archetypal Scooorts accent.

Mr Memory (Bob Baron), a stage performer who has the ability to recall thousands of facts on command. His death scene probably shouldn't be as funny as it is, but it is.

Professor Jordan (Rob Osmond), Surrounded in mystery and may hold the key to learning what and who “The 39 Steps” are. Ooh you can tell he is a nasty, can't you. Anyone with a section of his finger missing has to be a bit devious and dark, and explains his connections with the Northern constabulary.

The smaller parts are also played brilliantly by John Sully (Music Hall Manager/ Policeman #1/Butler/Scot #1), Dave Wilson (Milkman/Cockney #1/Scot #2/Detective), Samantha Badman (Mrs Higgins/Waitress), Rob Osmond, Donna Osmond, Gail Roy and Amy Cannon (The Music Hall Questioneers), Rob also played the Ticket Inspector, Jenni Wright (Cockney #2/Usher), Bob Baron (Policeman #2), Donna Osmond (Doctor/Mrs Jordan), Amy Cannon (Mrs McGarrigle) and Gail Roy (Stage Manager).

Providing the live adverts on air for the sponsors, Lux Soap, were Gail Roy, Samantha Badman, Amy Cannon, Donna Osmond, Jenni Wright and Bob Baron.

Directed by Jonathan Greaves, who also is MC for the play, and does the raffle in the interval - still in character. You can tell that Jonathan must have had fun with this production, because the production exuded fun. Although there was nowhere near a full house tonight, everybody joined in with the jeering, cheering, animal noises, Lambeth walking, Pennsylvania 65000-ing, and seemed to be having a jolly old evening of it all.

Close your eyes and you could imagine the smoke filled streets of London and the dark Scottish fens, the old fashioned train compartments of the old steam trains and the old news reel music, the excitement of Dick Barton, all with that added comedy zest provided by audience participation prompted by Mr Mike Roe-Fone. Hurrah! Now where did I put those cucumber sandwiches Mater?

"The 39 Steps - A Radio Play" is being performed at The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 25 June. Go on luv, treat yerself, ya know you want to dahling!