The 39 Steps is funny, clever and a great show

The 39 Steps is playing at Salisbury Playhouse, which is fantastic. It's funny and clever and the cast put on a great performance.

We are invited to experience the mystery of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic spy thriller, The 39 Steps, in Patrick Barlow’s brilliantly hilarious stage adaptation. This Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy is back on a UK tour after a phenomenal 10-year run in London’s West End.

Follow the dashing Richard Hannay as he embarks on a thrilling adventure filled with daring antics, romantic encounters and ghastly murders. Get set for a whirlwind of suspense taking you from the bustling streets of London to the remote Scottish Highlands as four talented actors play over 150 characters. Don’t miss this exhilarating escapade that will have you laughing, gasping, and cheering for more!

The set design is fantastic - simple at first glance, but with so many hidden secrets, revolving panels, sliding doors, signs and more - it helps transport you from location to location swiftly and subtly. 

One moment, you are in a flat in London, the next at Edinburgh Wavely train station - with just a few tweaks and adjustments here and there. 

The lighting and sound effects enhance the set and the cast's performance. They all brought their characters to life with energy and superb comedic timing—for some, that is many characters.

The clowns, played by Dani Bird and Phil Yarrow, are superb. They are every bit clowns, with physical comedy, accents, and voices galore. Between them, they play over 135 parts—some of which are not human. They also have amazing costumes and props, including everything from lamposts to spray bottles and buckets. 

Mei Mei Macleod plays three main characters, plus a few extra roles just for good measure. Her performance is brilliant, bringing a different sort of humour to that of the clowns - but still very funny. 

Finally, Charlotte Bloomsbury played Richard Hannay on press night. She is the understudy for all the actors, filling in at short notice, as explained by Gareth Machin before the performance, as Mateo Oxley could not take the stage.

Having only 24 hours to prepare to play the lead role, she threw herself into the part with gusto - so much so that many wouldn't have known without the pre-show announcement. Charlotte's performance was excellent, even without considering the short notice given to perform the role. 

The show is like one long dance routine, with characters, props and sets moving and being manipulated at terrific speed and complexity on occasions. Costume changes are frequent and FAST, and they are clever too, sometimes with seconds between an actor disappearing out of view and reappearing as a different character. 

Some moments leave you roaring with laughter, and moments make you jump - as any tale about spies should. It's a fantastic piece of theatre that I would highly recommend seeing. 

The 39 Steps is on at Salisbury Playhouse and runs until Saturday, 8th March.

Tickets are priced from £12 and can be purchased from the Wiltshire Creative Website - https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/the-39-steps