The 39 Steps

Ferndown Drama’s parody of Alfred Hitchcock’s spy thriller ‘The 39 Steps’ is a big success.

Hitchcock’s 1935 film is a classic of the genre, based on a book from 1915. Patrick Barlow’s comical adaptation of the film requires actors to perform multiple roles, often at the same time, and plays with the conventions of theatre, with plenty of prop humour. Ferndown Drama rose to the challenge and have put on a very entertaining production that runs until this Saturday.

The story follows Richard Hannay, an upper-class gent drawn into a conspiracy involving spies, military secrets and death. Framed for murder and on the run from both the police and secret agents, Hannay traverses the country from the London Palladium to Scotland and back again, all while trying to answer the question: what are The 39 Steps?

The large cast all performed very well when I saw the show on opening night. Special mention goes to Jeremy Mills as Hannay. He is on stage for practically the whole play and is a very funny performer. Chloe Partridge is great as love interest Pamela, while Peter Watson plays a perfectly devious villain (and a perfectly amusing hotel manager, dressed in night gown and night cap).