Review: THE 39 STEPS, Theatre Royal, Glasgow, May 16 2016

Based on Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 spy thriller, the 39 Steps comes to Glasgow after nine years in the West End. Hilariously recreated for the stage, one of the huge appeals of this production is that it has 130 characters played by just four cast members.

At the beginning of the play we meet Richard Hannay, who by an unfortunate turn of events becomes wanted for murder. His alleged victim had told him that he had to travel from London to Scotland to find out more about The 39 Steps and that becomes his mission. Hilarity ensues as the police pursue him across the country and we encounter double crossing agents and a few more murders.

The physical aspect of the performance meant that something simple like a train journey became absolutely hysterical to the audience. The swapping of characters never became tiresome and it was a heroic effort from all four cast members to pull the whole thing off. The use of props was inspired and nods were made to the ridiculousness of what we were to pretend certain objects were, for example a shower curtain to represent a waterfall.

During the second act of the show we were interrupted by a fire alarm and the Theatre Royal was evacuated. The flow of the play was not affected by this due to the professional attitude of the cast in resuming the show once everyone was back inside.

The 39 Steps is an incredible inventive piece of theatre. The fast paced nature of the show means that the evening just flies by and has you laughing from beginning to end.

The 39 Steps is at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow until Saturday 21st May.