Day, Gabrielle & Ellis Join West End 'The 39 Steps' Oct. 22

On October 22, 2007 West End musical stars Simon Paisley Day, Josefina Gabrielle and Martyn Ellis will join long standing cast member Simon Gregor in Maria Aitken's hit production of The 39 Steps. Patrick Barlow's critically acclaimed adaptation has been playing for over a year to sell-out houses at the Criterion since its transfer (from the Tricycle Theatre), winning him this year's Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and Best New Comedy at the 2007 Whatsonstage.com awards.

Best known as Hitchcock's 1935 classic movie thriller, The 39 Steps has designs by Peter McKintosh, lighting design is by Ian Scott, sound design by Mic Pool, and movement by Toby Sedgwick.  The 39 Steps is presented by Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd and Tricycle London Productions Ltd in association with the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

"Maria Aitken's production is performed by four actors playing a minimum of 139 roles and contains every single legendary scene from the award-winning movie – 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, besides many other favorite cinematic moments, including the memorable and controversial 'stockings and suspenders' scene!" declare press notes.

Simon Paisley Day, who will be taking over the role of Richard Hannay, has worked extensively for The National Theatre most recently playing Lord Evelyn Oakley in Anything Goes which following a hugely successful run transferred to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.  At the Donmar Warehouse he has recently been seen in David Grindley's production of The Philanthropist.  His screen credits include Spartacus, Dr Who, The Queen of Sheba's Pearls, Midsomer Murders, Hotel Babylon, The Heart of Me and Flawless.

Josefina Gabrielle will play Annabella Schmidt, Pamela and Margaret.  Her theatre credits include Tonight at 8.30 for Chichester Festival Theatre, Singing in the Rain for Sadler's Wells and the iconic role of Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre.  Josefina was also nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress for Trevor Nunn's Oklahoma for The National Theatre which also transferred to Broadway and was made into a feature film.

Martyn Ellis is taking over the role of Clown 2.  His theatre credits include Nicely Nicely Johnson in Michael Grandage's production of Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre, Grand Hotel at the Donmar and Alice in Wonderland for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Ellis was also the original Pumbaa in the London production of The Lion King in which he played opposite long standing The 39 Steps cast member Simon Gregor.  His screen credits include The Sarah Jane Adventures, Mine All Mine, Doctors, William & Mary and films In 2 Minds, A Christmas Carol and Agent Cody Banks 2.

Simon Gregor, who has performed in the show since its first performance at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the sold out run at the Tricycle and over a year in the West End, will continue playing Clown 1.  His other theatre credits include The Late Henry Moss and The Hypochondriac at the Almeida Theatre, Interior and Red Demon at the Young Vic, The Front Page at the Donmar Warehouse and The Lion King in which he played Timon opposite new cast member Martyn Ellis in the original London production.

The 39 Steps plays through June 7, 2008 (no performance May 5, 2008) at the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus, London SW1.  Performances are Monday – Saturday at 8PM; Matinees Tuesday at 3PM and Saturdays at 4PM.

For tickets (£10 - £42.50 plus concessions) call the box-office at 0844 8471778.  For more information visit www.love39steps.com.