A cunningly constructed play based on John Buchan’s famous thriller THE 39 STEPS, which was made into a film in 1935 by Alfred Hitchcock: 1 actor plays the central character Hannay; 1 actress plays 3 female roles whilst 2 other actors perform the other characters. Richard Hannay, a Canadian on holiday in England, flees from a theatrical performance after a shooting incident. During his escape, a terrified young woman approaches him, begging him for help. In his hotel room she tells him that she is a British spy whose life is in danger, and that she is being threatened by international agents who are following her. Richard is convinced that she is insane until she knocks on his hotel door next morning. This time she is seriously injured, with a knife in her back and a map in her hand. Before her death, she mumbles something about “39 steps”. He soon discovers that she was being followed, and that he is now being followed. He shakes them off and jumps on the first train into the city on the mysterious map. Richard learns that he is wanted for murder, and must find a way to prove his innocence.
THE 39 STEPS, Himmerlands Teater 2019
