THE 39 STEPS

at the Criterion

AIR OF MYSTERY By JOHN NATHAN Published July 2 2008 Actors Alan Perrin (His Dark Materials) and Nigel Betts (Tinderbox) are to join Jo Stone-Fewings and Josefina Gabrielle in the West End production of The 39 Steps. Maria Aitkin's production &ndash which was built on Fiona Buffin's original West Yorkshire Playhouse version &ndash transferred to the Criterion Theatre via the Tricycle Theatre in September 2006. The show has since won the Best New Comedy Olivier in London as well as two Tony Awards for the Broadway production. Adapted by Patrick Barlow (he of the National Theatre of Brent) from John Buchan's novel about foreign spies working against Britain from within, The 39 Steps is best known as Hitchcock's 1935 movie thriller. &nbspAitkin's production is a mix of homage and parody that makes fun of, and pays tribute to, British stiff-upper-lip attitudes. The show contains every scene from the award-winning movie - including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the death-defying finale in the London Palladium. The show is also touring in Italy, Israel, Australia, Korea, Germany and Greece. For more information about the West End production call (0)844 847 1778