The 39 Steps

Dundee Rep (touring around Dundee and Angus June 5 to 23)

Communities around Dundee and Angus are in for a treat this month as the Dundee Rep takes The 39 Steps out to local theatres throughout the area. John Buchan’s book, which was famously adapted for the silver screen by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, will be transformed once again as it hits the stage as a live radio play.

The story centres around Richard Hannay, a handsome traveller who has just returned to London from Canada.

Bored with life, the man visits the music hall where he meets a mysterious foreign agent on the run.

Richard soon finds himself caught up in a secretive international spy ring which sees him fleeing London to the Highlands of Scotland, to prove his innocence and evade capture.

The classic tale, which was originally written in 1915, has been thrilling audiences for more than 100 years.

Dundee Ensemble member Irene Macdougall who is directing the play says the captivating romantic thriller has been a joy to work on.

“We came up with the idea of doing the play during a research and development week the Dundee Rep had last year. I think it was our Ensemble member Ewan Donald who said he’d love to do The 39 Steps.

“It just so happened that I knew of the Joe Landry’s radio play version – Vintage Hitchcock from doing some research for our production of Whisky Galore! – a few years earlier. It seemed like a perfect fit, so we went for it.

“It’s such a brilliant little piece. It’s really good fun to watch and to perform.”

Taking plays out to theatres in the local community is something the Dundee Rep do yearly.

Keeping the ticket fees down to just £5, the company hopes to encourage people to engage with both the theatre and their local community.

“I think it’s really important for us to get out of the Rep and perform in the community, because we are part of the community.

“It helps us engage with people and it helps bring the community together for an evening. It really is fantastic. We love doing it, people are so friendly.”

After having performed some quite serious pieces recently, Irene says she’s looking forward to bringing something lighter to audiences.

“It does feel important that we don’t just lambast the community all the time with political issues. Obviously, it is important that we do it sometimes, but going to the theatre is also a night out and our community shows, especially, are about getting everyone together.

“It’s great to give them something different and exciting every year.

“The 39 Steps is a charming, iconic tale, which we hope community audiences will thoroughly enjoy.”

www.dundeerep.co.uk

Picture: Viktoria Begg. Scenes from the iconic tale that has been thrilling audiences for more than 100 years.