14 May 2008
The cast and creatives of the London production of The 39 Steps were in celebratory mood last night, toasting both six Tony nominations for the sister production on Broadway, and a new partnership with Mackintosh & Globe-Trotter. Read more
Showing at: Criterion Theatre
Box Office: 0844 847 1778
Download (pdf format): Seating plan
Age: General
Genre: Play
Sub Genre: Play (Comedy)
This comedy stage adaptation of John Buchan’s 1935 novel The 39 Steps has been keeping audiences amused at the Criterion theatre since 2006 and won Best Comedy at the Laurence Olivier Awards 2007.
Based on the book and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film noir, this stage version of The 39 Steps was devised by Patrick Barlow (aka The National Theatre Of Brent) and started life at West Yorkshire Playhouse before transferring to the Tricycle theatre and then London’s West End.
The story of The 39 Steps follows Richard Hannay, a bored London gentleman whose life suddenly becomes infinitely more interesting when a woman is murdered in his apartment. Who is she? Why did she take refuge with him? And what are the mysterious 39 Steps? Framed for her murder, Hannay flees London for Scotland on a mission to find out the answers to these and other questions. Along the way he comes across an assortment of unusual and mysterious characters and is reluctantly accompanied by prim Pamela, who inadvertently finds herself handcuffed to Hannay.
This theatrical version of The 39 Steps features all the famous scenes from the hitherto ‘unstageable’ film, including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, Hannay’s escape on the Forth Bridge, a bi-plane crash and the death-defying finale in the London Palladium. With a tongue-in-cheek humour, 1930s costumes and just four cast members playing a reported 150 roles between them, this is a slick, fast-paced, whirlwind of a comedy.
show times: Mon-Sat 20:00, Mats Tue 15:00, Sat 16:00
ticket prices: £10-£42.50
duration: 2h
cast: John Hopkins, Stephen Critchlow, Stephen Ventura, Natalie Walter. From 26 April: Dianne Pilkington, David Bark-Jones, Timothy Speyer, Jeremy Swift
adapted by: Patrick Barlow
director: Maria Aitken
producer: Edward Snape for Fiery Angel and the Tricycle Theatre
map: View Map
Access Enabled Map (pdf format):
View The Criterion Theatre Access Enabled Map
address: Piccadilly Circus, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4XA
nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus (opposite)
nearest bus: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 38, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
parking: Double yellow lines in Jermyn Street. Masterparks at Whitcomb Street and Trafalgar Square. NCPs in Denman Street.
air conditioned: Yes
Access Booking: BOOKING LINE FOR ACCESS REQUIREMENTS ONLY: TEL 020 7839 8811 FAX 020 7925 0596 EMAIL admin@criterion-theatre.co.uk
discounts: Discounts available for wheelchair users and their companions.
limited mobility: Dress circle boxes and C1, C2, C27, C28 have the most leg room.
access description: Main entrance up a 15cm step from the pavement, through swing doors. All staircases have handrails on both sides and steps are highlighted. From the foyer there are 25 steps down and then 6 up to the Upper Circle; 32 steps down to the Dress Circle (1 step between rows); 51 steps donw to the Stalls.
hearing impaired: Loop system available in all parts of the auditorium.
guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are allowed into the auditorium. Staff are available to dog sit for 2 dogs per performance in the theatre manager’s office.
wheelchairs: Wheelchair/scooter users should inform the Box Office in advance and come to the entrance in Jermyn Street, to the left of the stage door. There is a slight slope with handrails on both sides to the back of the Upper Circle. 2 spaces for wheelchair users next to C20. You cannot see a small part of the stage. Scooter users can access the venue, but have to be transferred. Transfer seating is available for wheelchair users and 1 scooter to aisle seats in Upper and Dress Circles. Each wheelchair user must bring a non-disabled companion.
toilets: Men’s and women’s at Dress Circle and Stalls.
disabled toilets: Adapted toilet on your right on the way to the Upper Circle from the Jermyn Street entrance.
The 39 Steps
Bookmark with: