Patrick Barlow’s comic adaptation of John Buchan’s The 39 Steps has won Best New Comedy 2007 Laurence Olivier Award.
The tongue-in-cheek show began life at West Yorkshire Playhouse after an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon. This production, directed by Maria Aitken, was created at the Tricycle and after a successful run it transferred to the Criterion where it is has now extended its run until 15 September.
Based on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film of Buchan’s story, The 39 Steps was adapted for the stage by Barlow, otherwise known as Desmond Olivier Dingle, the Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Brent. Barlow was on hand to collect the award, and was so taken aback that afterwards he told officiallondontheatre that he forgot to thank all the people he wanted to. “I’m chuffed! It’s been a long time coming this show, we’ve worked on it for years and years. I just keep thinking I’ve forgotten someone – did I forget the director? And there were two guys who came up with the original idea [Corble and Dimon], I forgot them too! They came up with the original idea to do it with four parts. Then they got me in to do it, so I did my bit of whatever it is to it!”
The 39 Steps tells the story of Richard Hannay, whose boring life in London is turned on its head when a girl is murdered in his home. Suddenly on the run from the police, Hannay heads to Scotland to discover the meaning behind the mysterious 39 Steps and clear his name. Along the way he encounters a variety of characters, some of whom help him, some of whom just want to kill him…
The show has only four cast members playing numerous roles, and recreates every scene from the famous film, including ‘unstageable’ episodes like the chase on the Flying Scotsman, Hannay’s escape on the Forth Bridge and a bi-plane crash.
The original cast comprised Charles Edwards (as Hannay), Catherine McCormack, Rupert Degas and Simon Gregor. Rachel Pickup replaced McCormack in January. CB
