OUR SPRING 2026 PRODUCTION IS

‘The 39 Steps’ by Patrick Barlow

‘The 39 Steps’ was originally a 1915 novel written by the Scotsman, John Buchan, a prolific writer across a number of genres including biographies. He was a historian, British Army Officer, a barrister, a politician, he was once Head of Intelligence at the Ministry of Information and was 1^st Baron Tweedsmuir. The novel was set just prior to the 1^st World War and was a spy-thriller.

In 1935 his novel was adapted for the cinema with the release of Alfred Hitchcocks film version. Hitchcock’s career spanned 6 decades and he directed over 50 feature films and was know as the master of suspense.

Other film releases were in 1959 starring Kenneth More, in 1978 starring Robert Powell and a 2008 BBC version starring Rupert Penny-Jones. Of all the major film versions of the novel, however, Hitchcock’s film has been the most highly praised. In 1999 the British Institute ranked it the 4^th best British film of the 20^th Century. Of all versions, the question is always, “So, what are the 39 steps?” – The original book makes it clear that the phrase refers to the number of steps from the villain’s cliff-top lair to the sea at low tide. Hitchcock, however, ignored this and used the phrase as a code-name for a spy-ring, whilst the 1978 version, introduced us to the 39 steps of Big Ben.

In 1996 the story was adapted into a play version by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, both English playwrights and theatre directors. This was specifically re-written for a cast of only 4 actors, only one of which to play one character, whilst the other 3 had multiple roles. This version was performed in small village halls and theatres. It was further re-written in 2005 by Patrick Barlow.

The play premiered on 17^th June 2005 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, moved to London’s Tricycle Theatre on 10^th August 2005. Then, in 2006, it transferred to The Criterion Theatre in London’s West End in the September. The play closed on 5^th September 2015 after a 9-year run, making it the 5^th longest running play in West End history.

TADA! are delighted to be bringing this show to you in 2026. We are now fully cast and the team are realising it needs lots of energy! As Patrick Barlow said, “Quite a lot of this show depends on your actors’ level of Olympian fitness. It has proved an invaluable aid to weight loss”!

We are having great fun at rehearsals and can’t wait to see you in the audience at one of the 6 shows scheduled at Prim-Raf Theatre!

This thrilling and renowned show is going to be popular!

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

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