Hysterical take on a Hitchcock classic at Coventry theatre

I have to say that I don’t remember laughing at Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps, or John Buchan’s book, so I was surprised to spot that this version of the 39 Steps was the winner of Best New Comedy 2007.

However, I eat my words; it was hysterical, frenetic, farcical, funny, fantastic, very physical and frilling – sorry, thrilling.

Four actors ‘tackle’ all the parts; 104 characters, changing hats or outfits in mid-sentence. In one sequence on the train to Scotland two actors (Tony Bell, Gary Mackay) were the police searching for Richard Hannay, plus station staff announcing the trains, plus other passengers travelling in ladies’ underwear.

It’s incredibly hard to describe the plot - but here goes. Richard Hannay (Richard Ede) our handsome hero, meets his German femme fatale (Charlotte Peters) but she is bumped off in his flat. Everyone is after him for her murder; the police, some German agents, the Professor and more. He takes her place to visit Professor Jordan in Scotland harboured by farmers, saved by hymn books.

Love interest arrives and accompanies him on his journey. His quest to find out what the 39 steps is about leads him back to London and in a tidy volte face we think the love interest hasn’t worked but back in his flat, in the same comfy chair, she brings him a whisky and soda, a baby cries in the background, a Christmas tree in a fire bucket speeds onto the stage, and snow starts falling. Aaah!

This is a tour de force and completely wonderful entertainment. Go if you can. Five stars.

Jane Howard