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The 39 Steps, Even More Abridged

  • New 40-minute adaptation!

    Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre. This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance!

    • More information

    Description

    • Short Play
    • Comedy, Mystery/Thriller
    • 40 minutes

    • Time Period: 1930s
    • Target Audience: Teen (Age 14 - 18), Senior, Adult
    • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
    • Cautions: Gun Shots

    • Performance Group:
    • Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, College Theatre / Student

    • Accolades:
    • Winner! Two Tony Awards (2008)
      Winner! Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience (2008)
      Winner! Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy (2007)
    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.
    REVIEWS:

    "Ingenious! A dizzy delight!"

    Daily News

    "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

    Premiere Production: The 39 Steps premiered on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre on January 15, 2008. Directed by Maria Aitken, the production featured Arnie Burton, Charles Edwards, Jennifer Ferrin and Cliff Saunders.

    Characters

    • Casting: 1M, 1F, 2M or F
    • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast, Flexible casting, Expandable casting, Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)

  • Author's Note: The 39 Steps, Even More Abridged is the 40-minute (approx.) version of my play The 39 Steps. It is written for four actors. HANNAY is played by one man throughout. The woman plays ANNABELLA and PAMELA. The other two actors, the CLOWNS, play all the other parts. They can be two men, two women or a man and a woman. It is possible (and I have seen it done) to cast the play with a company of at least 50. A bit more expensive but jolly good fun.


  • RICHARD HANNAY
    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

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    The 39 Steps, Even More Abridged Script This is optional. Order Now

    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.

    		$24.95

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