The brochure for “The 39 Steps” states that this comedy is ‘Just the Ticket’. The play, produced by John Buchan, was adapted by Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon.  Henry and I treated ourselves to this delightful bit of London theater that was playing at the Criterion Theater in Piccadilly Square. The production  had been awarded two Tony Awards in 2008, and the Olivier Award in 2007, also named ‘Best Comedy’.  Critics gave it four stars, the Sunday Express saying it was ‘Hilarious’. The Daily Telegraph commented that it was ‘Dizzyingly Entertaining...Highly Recommended’. The Observer commented that the play was ‘Exactly the thing the West End has been waiting for’. And, the Whatsonstage.com reviewed it as ‘A hilarious and glorious celebration of theater’.  Henry bought our tickets at the box office the morning of the performance. We were not disappointed, and agreed with The Guardian’s review that the performance was an ‘Uproariously jolly and splendidly inventive’ piece of theater’. With only three actors and one actress, the cast carried off this spell-binding mystery-adventure-love-story with professional aplomb, keeping us riveted and laughing the whole way through. This is just one of the reasons we adore being in London. Theater here is affordable, available, and extremely good. Attending the theater here has always left us yearning for more!

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. The exterior of The Criterion Theatre on Piccadilly Square. 2. The lead actor, David Bark-Jones. 3. Diane Pilkington, the actress, with fellow actors Timothy Speyer and Jeremy Swift. 4. An funny scene between the two main characters. 5. An amorous moment on the Flying Scotsman.  Center, Top:  The marquis on The Criterion Theatre. Center, Middle: The thrilling race against time! Center, Bottom: Two suave eavesdroppers.  Right Column: 1. The small letters on the sign reads: “And the Air Conditioning is Rather Splendid, Too!” 2. A Scottish couple. 3. A rather intimate discovery!

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE