Showing at Derby Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 17 October, before transferring to Hull Truck Theatre from Wednesday 21 October to Saturday 14 November, the fast-paced comedy thriller brings together four performers to play more than 130 characters in one of theatre’s most inventive stage adaptations.
Joining the stellar cast will be Derby Theatre Youth Theatre alumni Sophie Bloor as Annabella (Doreen in The York Realist for New Venture Theatre, Gay Pride and No Prejudice for Union Theatre, I Dream Before I Take the Stand for Theatre Twilight, her new comedy-drama Pizza Face is currently in development); James Keningale as Clown (The Mystery of Irma Vep for Jack Studio, Alice’s Adventures Underground for Les Enfants Terribles, A Midsummer Night’s Dream for TLCM, Macbeth for Insane Root, The Last Days of Mankind for Bristol Old Vic); Tom Mitchell as Cover (1984 for European Arts Company, The Idiot, Volpone, Measure for Measure for Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Stanley for Junk Theatre); Kathryn Perkins as Clown (Macbeth for Dickens Theatre Co and Handlebards, School for Scandal, Love’s Labours Lost, The Importance of being Earnest for Challenging Theatre Co, Wasteman for Comedy Central); and Ryan Starling as the debonair entangled in a mysterious murder, Richard Hannay (Theatre credits: Its Her Turn Now, The Three Musketeers, The Intellectual Hooligans Improv Comedy, Absent Friends for Sheringham Little Theatre. Writing credits: The Morning After (The Night Before), The Case of the Three-Eyed Elephant).
Directed by Cal McCrystal, Comedy Director for the award-winning One Man, Two Guvnors and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Don Quixote, and director of the Perrier Award-winning Mighty Boosh stage shows, the production will bring McCrystal’s flair for visual comedy and inventive storytelling to this much-loved classic.
Cal McCrystal, Director of THE 39 STEPS said:
“At a time when many actors are typecast, this production celebrates versatility and playfulness. So, I am delighted to be presenting our five brilliant cast members, Sophie Bloor, James Keningale, Tom Mitchell, Kathryn Perkins and Ryan Starling, who will perform the dozens of characters in the mysterious and hilarious tale of The 39 Steps. We are all looking forward to starting rehearsals and we promise you a wonderful show.”
Sarah Brigham, Artistic Director and CEO at Derby Theatre said:
“The 39 Steps is exactly the kind of theatre experience our audiences love: brilliantly inventive, laugh-out-loud funny and packed with theatrical surprises. It’s a perfect night out, combining Hitchcock’s classic thriller with irresistible comedy. I’m especially thrilled to welcome the acclaimed and award-winning Director Cal McCrystal to bring this classic to life for our audiences. Cal is the country’s finest comedy director, with an extraordinary gift for creating productions that are visually inventive, impeccably timed and utterly joyous. His credits include the National Theatre, RSC and the ENO so it’s a real joy we’ve managed to tempt him back to Derby. I can’t think of a better director to bring this exhilarating theatrical rollercoaster to life, and I know audiences are in for a treat”.
Mark Babych, Artistic Director and joint CEO at Hull Truck Theatre, said:
“We’re so looking forward to welcoming this fantastic show to Hull Truck Theatre as part of our Autumn Winter 2026 programme. This is another great opportunity to partner with Derby Theatre to present audiences with an ambitious, fast-paced, theatrical masterpiece. Having Cal McCrystal working on the project with his wealth of experience in creating raucous visual comedy is the cherry on the cake! This is a show not to be missed.”
THE 39 STEPS is a fast, funny and brilliantly inventive comedy thriller set to delight audiences. Inspired by John Buchan’s classic novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film, this thrilling adventure is packed with daring escapes, clever disguises and unexpected twists.
This stage adaptation takes audiences from the streets of London to the wild landscapes of Scotland, which transforms a classic spy story into a spectacular theatrical ride for Derby and Hull audiences.
The 39 Steps is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the novel by John Buchan
From the movie by Alfred Hitchcock
Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment
And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon
Follow Us!
For more information and THE 39 STEPS updates, visit the Derby Theatre website: The 39 Steps – Derby Theatre, or follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube – @derbytheatre @hulltruck).
More information
On sale, tickets and how to book
Derby Theatre
£22.50 – £36
Friends, Earlybird, group, under 26s and school rates available.
Book online at The 39 Steps – Derby Theatre or Box Office on 01332 593939
Access
Derby Theatre
Dementia Friendly Performance – Wed 7 Oct 2:30pm
Audio described performances – Fri 9 Oct 7:30pm, Wed 14 Oct 2:30pm
BSL interpreted performances – Sat 10 Oct 2:30pm, Fri 16 Oct 7:30pm
Captioned performance – Wed 14 Oct 2:30pm, Fri 16 Oct 7:30pm
Advisories
Age guidance 10+. This production contains mild threat, moments of suspense, stylised violence and comic depictions of peril.
About Hull Truck Theatre
Hull Truck Theatre is a pioneering theatre with a unique Northern voice, locally rooted, global in outlook, inspiring artists, audiences, and communities to reach their greatest potential. We produce and present inspiring theatre that reflects the diversity of a modern Britain and provide the resources, space, and support to grow people and ideas. We are an ambassador for our city, a flagship for our region and a welcoming home for our communities.
We are committed to our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, and Integrity.
Through our work with schools and local communities we engage with young people, disabled groups, and adults, offering opportunities to participate in the arts, whether as a first step into a career, a way to build confidence and meet new people, or as a part of a rounded education. Our ground-breaking Community Dialogues programme builds on long-term partnerships within Hull’s local communities to address inequalities in accessing the arts.
With the inspiring leadership of Mark Babych (Artistic Director) and Janthi Mills-Ward (Executive Director), the theatre is on the next stage of its exceptional journey, creating a vibrant 21st-century cultural organisation.
Hull Truck Theatre gratefully acknowledges support from Arts Council England and Hull City Council.