39 Steps to Heaven

Patrick Barlow’s tongue-in-cheek adaptation takes much from the plot of the well-known Hitchcock film adaptation, with a number of less than subtle, but very funny references to several of the master director's best known films. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, who has the audience laughing with just a raise of an eyebrow, plays the 1930’s dashing hero Richard Hannay. Hannay is cast into the nefarious world of spies and dastardly deeds following a civilised trip to the theatre.

Wrongly accused of murder Hannay sets off on an exhilarating game of cat-and-mouse across Scotland. During the chase he ends up handcuffed to love-interest Pamela, played by Katherine Kingsley, and together they work to solve the mystery of the 39 Steps. A cast of just four play 139 roles. The duo Richard Braine and Dan Starkey switch frenetically between many of these characters, producing hilarious effects and slapstick humour. With minimum props and basic set, the actors rely on gimmicks and physical theatre to lead the audience through easily imagined scenes.

A light-hearted entertaining production that will see you leaving the theatre with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre is the only Scottish date on the tour, but with this productions credentials it is sure to make a return in the future.