"The 39 Steps"

Belper Players.

Strutts Centre, Belper.

Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and 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".

I've seen the play a few times over the years but I think that I can honestly say that this production is possibly the best stage presentation in play form that I've seen.

Richard Hannay is played by Mik Horvath. A typically English gentleman with an accent that reflects that but with a softer RP and that knowing twinkle in the eye. Breaking the fourth wall on several occasions, there's a mixture of cad and fop in there, and on the very occasional need to ad-lib, Mik manages to inject even more comedy. On several occasions, like when the radio announcer is giving a description of Hannay, Mik gets to play up to roguish but good looking description at every word, and I loved the running joke about Hannay's age. If Mik doesn't strike lucky in next year's Eagle Awards with this role, I'll be extremely surprised.

Annabella Schmidt, an exotic secret agent, is in dire need of Hannay’s help, because her life is in danger, is played by Abbie Evans. There are so many characters in this zany story that most of the actors play several roles and Abbie also plays a Salesman and a Heavy.

Pamela Stuart, 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 all Hooray Henry but with that underlying sexiness. Jo Petch is brilliant as Pamela and that "will they/won't they" moments keep that sexual anticipation flowing throughout. There's a wonderfully funny scene with Pamela and Hannay in the bedroom where Pamela is taking off her stockings to dry by the fire at the hotel, but of course they are still handcuffed to each other. Classic comedy moment.

Margaret Crofter, the farmer’s wife, is a shy young woman who dreams of life and adventure in the city is played by Kat Foxx-Booth. Mrs Crofter helps Hannay to escape the hands of the law by allowing him to climb out of the "rear window" - a nice nod towards Hitchcock's film of the same name. Kat also plays a pilot as well as the Magician's Assistant.

Mr Crofter, a deeply jealous and suspicious Scottish farmer who houses Hannay for a night while he is on the run. Nick Mothershaw typical Scottish accent just adds to the over the top comedy element of the show. Another lovely scene also involves a window frame and some comic visuality. Nick also plays The Professor plus Mrs Higgins and Mrs McGarrigle, in a style that reminded me so much of how Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame played female characters so brilliantly.

Mr Memory, a stage performer who has the ability to recall thousands of facts on command, and who holds the secret to what The 39 Steps mean, is played by Megan Russell. Another wonderfully comic character, especially in the run up to recalling the answers to the questions asked of him. Megan also plays the other Pilot.

Linda Ball plays one of the spies who is chasing Annabella, as well as playing Chief Inspector Allbright.

Diane Churchill plays a Paperboy and a Heavy.

Jeremy Crane plays the other spy chasing Annabella - Loved the way Jeremy and Linda moved crab-like at the back of the stage as if they didn't want to be spotted. Jeremy also played the Magician and a Porter.

Martin Drake played The Sherriff to whom Hannay went to, to report the dealings of Professor Jordan.

Ria Harvey played the role of the Radio Announcer as well as Mr McGarrigle. With the roles of the McGarrigles being gender swapped added yet another layer of zaniness.

Alyson Koe played one of the Policemen, alongside Kirsty Williams.

Sophie Mander plays the Compere, a Salesman and McQuarrie.

Gwen Murray plays the part of Dunwoody.

Jane Robertson plays Mrs Jordan.

Roger Whiting plays the Milkman who helps Hannay get away unnoticed near the start of the play, and again another lovely piece of physical comedy involving the milkman's jacket. Roger also played the part of the Chief Inspector.

Oliver Hallam also played various ensemble parts.

Directed by Louisa Jenkins. There has been so much, as far as I could tell, added to create the level of craziness and comedy. This production really brings to life the feel of the old Ealing Comedies and the pace at times leaves you quite breathless. The scene in the LNER train compartments is very fresh and very funny. As I said at the start, probably the best, and funniest versions of this play I have seen.

Keeping the pace up on stage is partly due to stage management and Josh Hall as Stage Manager really saw to it that the pace was set just right.

I loved the projections that we saw throughout the show. From Pathe style news reels of planes, images of London nightlife, visions of Scotland, interiors of rooms and many others really moved the show along, keeping that pace going and was the work of Pete Watson.

There are so many costumes in this show, well there are so many characters, and these are thanks to Patricia Church and Sheena Lawrence.

What there's also a lot of as well are props, sourced by Megan Russell.

Set Design is by Nick Mothershaw with the cast and crew. There are some very clever pieces of set created for the show, especially at the McGlarrigle's lobby desk. 

The Choreography in the show is by Sarah Henderson.

Sound is by Rob Snell. Now I am not sure if during the section where the Professor and his wife were having a Birthday party for their daughter and the sound of partying rose when the door opened and disappeared when the door closed was maybe a slip but the partying was heard when the door was closed. I found it quite funny, especially in this parody form, and if that was an accidental slip of the finger, I think it should be kept in. If it was deliberate, I appreciate the comedy element of it.

Lighting is by Josh Hall and Nick Mothershaw.

Nikky Rowe and Sara Noble-Nesbitt are in charge of Production Co-Ordination and Alex Libby heads up the Production Team.

If you're looking for a production that is jam packed with comedy and rolls along at a spiffing pace, then this is the one for you. That is of course providing that there are any tickets available, as last I heard the whole week is a sell out, and I can tell you this for nothing, if you have a ticket, you're in for an award winning production.

"The 39 Steps" is at Strutts Centre, Belper until Saturday 15 November and has a Saturday matinee at 2pm.

There's also a BSL Interpreted performance on the Friday evening.