London's THE 39 STEPS Welcomes New Cast 7/13

A new cast has been announced for Patrick Barlow's adaptation of The 39 Steps, directed by Maria Aitken, currently in its third year at the Criterion Theatre. The new cast will feature John Hopkins as Richard Hannay. Other cast members include Stephen Critchlow, Stephen Ventura, and Natalie Walter. The new cast members of the hilarious 100-minute whodunnit begin July 13.

The West End production of The 39 Steps played its 1000th performance on 4 March at 8 p.m. In 2008 the touring production visited 23 theatres across the country to great success. Now in its second smash year on Broadway, the quick change comedy version of Hitchcock's classic film thriller is playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York. Following its acclaimed opening it went on to win two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards.

Maria Aitken's multi award-winning production contains every single legendary scene from the award-winning 1935 classic Hitchcock movie thriller - including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium, as well as the memorable and controversial ‘stockings and suspenders' scene.

The current cast of The 39 Steps includes Nigel Betts (Man 2), Tessa Churchard (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret) Alan Perrin (Man 1) and Robert Portal (Richard Hannay).

The 39 Steps has designs by Peter McKintosh, lighting design is by Ian Scott, sound design by Mic Pool, and movement by Toby Sedgwick. The 39 Steps is presented by Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd and Tricycle London Productions Ltd in association with the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

For more information visit www.love39steps.com.