39 Steps to Murrrder - and hilarity!

(Back): Nicky Main, Ben Wellicome. (Front): Rob Jones, Becky Young. Photo courtesy Priory Theatre.

The 39 Steps at The Priory Theatre from 16 – 24 May 2025. Directed by John Evans.

Review by Ann Evans

If you’ve taken the wise steps of buying tickets for The 39 Steps at the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth, don’t expect to see a stage version of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock spy thriller, nor a re-enactment of author John Buchan 1915 novel. Do however look forward to an absolutely brilliant night’s hilarity – in a ‘bonkers’ fashion as one member of the audience rightly said after the standing ovation at last night’s performance!

This stage adaptation by Patrick Barlow which hit the West End in 2006, then later went on to Broadway, gathering BAFTA and Tony Awards along the way, proved to be an absolutely knock-out show at last night’s opening night at The Priory Theatre in Kenilworth.

Nicky Main and Ben Wellicome. Photo courtesy of Priory Theatre.

It is ‘laugh out loud’ comedy, and that is due to the totally excellent performances by the four talented performers – yes only four! Who play more than 30 different characters, their journey taking them from a London apartment where our main man, Richard Hannay, played brilliantly by Ben Wellicome becomes entangled in a murder he didn’t commit and is forced to flee up north pursued by murderous spies and over-zealous police officers.

Becky Young as the amazing Mr Memory and Rob Jones as the assistant. Photo credit Priory Theatre.

It’s a perilous journey for Richard Hannay, as he evades the police and escapes the killer spies – on one occasion daringly hanging off the outside of the train carriage as it crosses the Forth Bridge – with the brilliant aid of a few chairs and a backdrop – hats off to the team who created the simple but gloriously effective set and props throughout this show!

Nicky Main and Ben Wellicome. Photo courtesy of Priory Theatre.

Along the way, we meet a fantastic array of the most wonderful characters. Every single one unique in personality, mannerisms and voice, and every one crazily funny. Outstanding and hilarious performances by the other three cast members: Nicky Main who plays Annabelle Schmidt and two other roles is just fabulous. And the amazing ‘clowns’ Rob Jones and Becky Young, who take on all the other roles – finding ingenious ways of swapping characters before your very eyes at times, were superb.

Nicky Main as Annabella Schmidt and Ben Wellicome as Richard Hannay. Photo credit Priory Theatre.

After watching these four actors perform together in what had to be a meticulously timed and choreographed performance to coordinate with sound and visual effects – especially when they were deliberately ‘off key’, was genius. I honestly thought these four were a seasoned troupe who had performed these routines countless times before on tour. It was a real surprise to discover that they had come together for this show. Well done to them, the whole of the backstage crew and of course the Director, John Evans.

Great entertainment, genuinely funny – I thought in a kind of Monty Python style. If you get the chance to see this show, jump at it!

For tickets: www.PrioryTheatre.co.uk Box office 0333 666 3366.