The 39 Steps At The Bob Hope Theatre
Based on the classic book by John Buchan and from the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, The 39 Steps is a splendid, nee dashingly handsome mix of comedy, adventure, mystery and thriller. Adapted by Richard Barlow from the exquisite idea by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon as a Play performed by just four Actors.
So a warm welcome to these Actors; Howard Otley (Hannay), Charlotte Davey (Annabella) and Paul Newton (Clown) on their debuts at the Bob Hope Theatre plus Jackie Mitchell (Clown) so soon after the fabulous and superb sell out Cinderella. Paul Marshall makes a directorial return since Pygmalion in 2014 to bring us this fabulously theatrical tour de force. With Maggie Matthews as Stage Manager and set designed by Alan Matthews, both from Theatre 62 in West Wickham. The production is closely supported by Simon Ward, Anne Basley, Maria Hind, Susan Owen and other members of our Theatre.
It’s 1935 and Richard Hannay is a London gentleman whose life is rather tedious but then suddenly becomes infinitely more interesting when, after deliberating on what to do and decides to attend a West End show.
At the end of the Mr Memory show in a music hall, he meets Annabella Schmidt who is running away from secret agents. Hannay accepts to hide her in his flat, but in the middle of the night she is murdered.
Who is she? Why did she take refuge with him? And what are the mysterious “39 Steps”?
Being framed for her murder, Hannay flees London for Scotland on a mission to find out the answers to these and other questions. Along the way he comes across an assortment of unusual and mysterious characters and is reluctantly accompanied by prim Pamela, who inadvertently finds herself handcuffed to Hannay. Will they save Britain from a den of devious spies?
This small cast of four actors play countless characters in this wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy about an ordinary man on an extraordinarily entertaining adventure with legendary scenes including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape of the Forth Bridge and the death-defying (or nearly) finale in the London Palladium.
Book you tickets now to enjoy this clever, imaginative and brilliantly funny production. This is one that is just not to be missed.
Performance dates; 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th March at 7:45 pm
Box Office 02088503702
Website: www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk
Address:
Bob Hope Theatre
Wythfield Road
Eltham London
SE9 5TG