The 39 Steps, Even More Abridged
by John Buchan, Patrick Barlow


Highlights
Awards & Recognition
Winner! Two 2008 Tony Awards Winner! 2008 Drama Desk Award, Unique Theatrical Experience Winner! 2007 Laurence Olivier Award, Best New Comedy Nominee: Six 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Play
Synopsis
The 39 Steps, Even More Abridged is a 40-minute version of the hit whodunit, speeding along but never missing any of the comic brilliance and thrilling moments of the full-length play.
The shorter version features the most loved and legendary scenes, including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on The Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged, and the death-defying (or nearly!) finale at the London Palladium!
With four actors playing a minimum of 139 roles, it’s an astonishing theatrical tour de force.
Press Reviews
"Rollicking Fun! Hugely Entertaining!"
— Sunday Times
"A wonderful triumph of theatre!"
— BBC Radio 4
"Theatre at its finest... Absurdly enjoyable! This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock's film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands."
— The New York Times
Characters
| Character |
|---|
Compere |
Mr Memory |
Annabella Schmidt |
Heavy 1 |
Heavy 2 |
Business Man 1 |
Business Man 2 |
Paperboy |
Porter |
Policeman 1 |
Policeman 2 |
Voices |
Pamela Edwards |
Radio Announcer |
Louisa Jordan |
Professor Jordan |
Sheriff |
Mr Dunwoody |
Mr Mcquarrie |
Mrs Mcgarrigle |
Mr Mcgarrigle |
Superintendant Albright |
Richard Hannay |
Videos
The 39 Steps - NY Montage
Publication
The 39 Steps, Even More Abridged is a comedy play written by John Buchan and published by Samuel French (2022).
Community Reviews
No community reviews yet
Buy Play
Paperback
Samuel French · 2022
Performance Rights
Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)
Apply for RightsSimilar Plays
Plays with similar themes, style, and content.
More from John Buchan
More plays from John Buchan that we think you'll enjoy.













