After an incredible nine-year run in the West End, Olivier Award-winning comedy The 39 Steps has announced that it will close at the Criterion Theatre in September.
The much-loved comedy, which is one of the longest running plays in West End history, will close its doors for the final time on 5 September.
Based on John Buchan’s classic 1914 spy thriller and Alfred Hitchcock’s subsequent film, The 39 Steps started its London life at the Tricycle Theatre in August 2006 before transferring to its current longstanding home at the Criterion Theatre in the autumn.
During its time in the West End the much-loved show has been described by The Guardian as “Theatrical tomfoolery to die for” and by The Telegraph as “A dizzyingly entertaining show that never outstays its welcome”.
The production’s four-strong, fast-moving cast currently features Daniel Llewelyn-Williams, Kelly Hotten, Mike Goodenough and Gary Sefton, but over the course of the show’s nine-year stint in the capital actors including Charles Edwards and Dianne Pilkington have all taken on the production’s staggering 139 roles.
Winner of the 2007 Best New Comedy Award at the Olivier Awards with MasterCard, the 100-minute theatrical romp takes audiences on an incredible adventure with handsome hero Richard Hannay as he encounters dastardly murderers, double-crossing agents and devastatingly beautiful women.
Directed by Maria Aitken with designs by Olivier Award winner Peter McKintosh, The 39 Steps has been seen by a whopping three million people worldwide and has played the fifth highest number of performances in the entire history of West End plays.
Prior to the production’s closure, The 39 Steps is taking part in Kids Week and West End LIVE. Visitors to West End LIVE’s free theatrical experience in Leicester Square this weekend can discover how quickly they can change into one of the show’s policeman costumes and find out what it takes to put the acclaimed comedy on stage.
Tickets are also now on sale for Kids Week 2015, our annual ticket campaign offering a free child’s ticket for every full priced ticket purchased for performances throughout August.
For performances in June, July and those all-important final shows in September, you can book tickets through us.