I say, old fellow, there's something particularly amusing about that production of
The 39 Steps that they're playing in that Criterion Theatre, what ho.
Oh yes, it's that same gripping yarn as what that dashed clever John Buchan wrote about in that
magazine serial in 1915. You know, the one made more famous by
the Alfred Hitchcock version that came out in '35, and the radio jobby that man Orson Wells did in '39. But with something of a difference, dear chap: there are only four actors in it! And they have to play all the roles, of which there are apparently 139. Who'd have thought it could be done?
You wouldn't credit it but it's true, they get up to all sorts of theatrical clevernesses to keep up the show: sleights of hand, lighting tricks and all manner of things with dummies and dolls. But when it comes down to it those three actors and one actress do a smashingly good job of it, and they manage to make you laugh about it as well. Clever things.
None of the highlights you'll remember from the other versions are missing old boy, they manage the
'Chase on the Flying Scotsman' scene, the
'Escape on the Forth Bridge' scene, the bi-plane crash, and the near death defying ending.
These clever folks came up with this format for the show in 2006, and they started playing in a much smaller theatre, you know, but transferred to The Criterion where they've been happily going about their business for the past few years. And hopefully we'll have a chance to go and see it together, what not? I promise I won't spoil the ending, old chum.
