The 39 Steps is a 2006 comedic play which adapts the 1935 Hitchcock thriller The 39 Steps using a cast of only four actors. To give an idea of the style, the Forth Bridge train is a model train on a track at the back of the stage and pretty much everyone plays at least a dozen roles.
This play contains:
- Ninja Prop: When our hero's attention is drawn to the pair of spies standing under a lamp post outside, said spies rush on stage carrying the lamp post, then off and on again every time Hannay looks like he's going to peek out the window.
- No Fourth Wall:
- After a particularly extravagant and long-winded series of costume changes, "Hannay the actor can't take any more" and exclaims "Oh just get on with it!!"
- Ominous Fog: At least it is once they get the fog machine working."Look how the fog's closing in. (beat) I said LOOK HOW THE FOG'S CLOSING IN!"
- Shout-Out:
- To North By Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and pretty much every other Alfred Hitchcock work.
- "Not that window!" "Which window?" "The Rear Window!"
- Lampshaded in one instance when two characters come to a ladder and the woman won't go up. "Why no—oh, don't tell me. Vertigo."
- Those Two Guys: Because there are only two guys other than Hannay, this pops up a lot. Examples include the underwear salesmen, the police officers, the heavies, the Sheriff and Chief Inspector, Dunwoody and McQuarrie, and Compere and Mr. Memory.
- Those Wacky Nazis: The villains get a historical upgrade from World War I spies and anarchists to the exponents of a Master Race.
- Ugly Guy, Hot Wife: Hannay initially mistakes the Scottish farmer's wife for his daughter.
