The 39 Steps extends booking - again
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
THE 39 Steps has once again extended its booking period at the Criterion Theatre by four months – this time until February 7, 2009. Meanwhile, the Broadway production has been nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Direction of a Play for Maria Aitken.
Previously Posted: Patrick Barlow’s award-winning adaptation of The 39 Steps has extended its run at the Criterion Theatre by four months – until October 11, 2008.
The 39 Steps, which began life at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2005, is now also playing on tour in the UK, in Israel, Italy and South Africa. An Australian production is due to open later this year with a further fifteen countries scheduled to present the play over the next twelve months.
And just this week, it opened on Broadway – at the Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre – to rave reviews in the American press. The New York cast is led by Charles Edwards, reprising the role of Richard Hannay for which he received rave reviews in the London production. He is joined by Arnie Burton (Clown), Jennifer Ferrin (Pamela/ Margaret) and Cliff Saunders (Clown).
Maria Aitken’s production of the John Buchan classic is performed by four actors playing a minimum of 139 roles and contains every legendary scene from the award-winning film – including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium. There’s even the memorable and controversial ‘stockings and suspenders’ scene!
The current London cast is Simon Paisley Day, Josefina Gabrielle, Martyn Ellis and long standing cast member Simon Gregor.
The 39 Steps is presented by Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd and Tricycle London Productions Ltd in association with the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Designs are by Peter McKintosh, with lighting design by Ian Scott, sound design by Mic Pool and movement by Toby Sedgwick.
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