The 39 Steps at the MAC

The 39 Steps is a fast-paced, slapstick comedy thriller where an ordinary man, Richard Hannay, is framed for murder and must go on the run to stop a spy ring from stealing vital British military secrets. The humor derives from the entire story being performed by a small cast who play over 150 characters, often making rapid costume and character changes. One actor plays the hero, Richard Hannay; an actress plays the three women with whom he has romantic entanglements; other actors play every other character in the show, each occasionally playing multiple characters at once. Thus Alfred Hitchcock film’s serious spy story is given a comedic, zany twist.