Four actors, one hundred and thirty-nine characters and one laughter packed night at a top West End theatre, what could be better than that? The Criterion Theatre is proud to present the smash hit Olivier Award Winning Best New Comedy, The 39 Steps, adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken.

Based on the classic spy thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935, this hilarious show follows our dashing hero Richard Hannay when he goes on the run after being accused of killing a counterespionage agent. While on the run he must try and stop a nefarious spy ring intent on stealing top-secret information.

The 39 steps is a non-stop whirlwind of action and adventure and takes our hero on a wild adventure which sees him encounter more than his fair share of foul play, contemptible murderers, underhanded secret agents and of course, beautiful but deadly femme fatales.

Somehow every legendary scene from this classic thriller has been brought to spectacular life for the theatre, including the chase on the Flying Scotsman and the escape on the Forth Bridge, not to mention a breath-taking staging of the bi-plane crash that brings 39 Steps to a memorable finale.


‘Uproariously jolly and splendidly inventive’ – The Guardian

‘Dizzyingly entertaining…highly recommended’ – Daily Telegraph

‘A joyous version of the Hitchcock classic’ – Sunday Times