You don’t expect to see The 39 Steps described as a “smash-hit comedy”. Thriller, maybe – or “shocker”, as original author John Buchan called it – but comedy?

The explanation is simple. This is not the Buchan version, but an adaptation by actor and playwright Patrick Barlow, who has created a gloriously funny and inventive story in which four actors are trying to put on a film version of The 39 Steps against considerable odds. “It’s based more closely on the Hitchcock film than the Buchan novel,” explains Richard Ede, who plays dashing hero Richard Hannay. “The back-story we’re given as the actors is that we’re trying to create the film on stage. We’re on our way to this venue you’re going to see, and some producer is going to take the show, put it on the road.

“The other van breaks down with all the props, half the set and all the actors, so we’re left with this cobbled together version, but still trying to recreate the film shot for shot, which is an impossible task. So that’s where the comedy comes from.”

As Hannay, Richard is the only one of the quartet who plays the same role all the way through, while his colleagues are constantly swapping costumes and props to represent a multitude of different characters. But that doesn’t mean he has an easier life – he is on stage about 95 per cent of the show, and it is a physically demanding role.

“It is exhausting,” he admits. “All that action hero nonsense I have to do – I’m sure any true action hero who came to see the show would say ‘That’s nothing, that’s a walk in the park’. “But doing it eight times a week, throwing myself out of things and off things, and running away from people for an hour and a half, is exhausting. I don’t need to go to the gym now – I’m keeping fit!”

The perennial fascination with Buchan’s novel has resulted in four film versions, starring Robert Donat, Kenneth More, Robert Powell and, most recently, Rupert Penry-Jones. As Richard takes on the mantle of Hannay, is he conscious of following in these distinguished footsteps?

“These are all well respected actors and handsome fellas to boot, so when I walk on I hope people say, ‘Yes, he’s Hannay’, because you want people to accept you for that role. People have their own ideals, and you want to fit in with that while also bringing your own personality to the role.”

With a tour that has already included beautiful cities such as Cambridge and Edinburgh, Richard is looking forward to coming to a city where he has never performed before.

“I’ve been to see a couple of shows in Oxford, because I knew people who were involved in the Oxford Shakespeare Company, which was fantastic. “We’ve been very spoilt on this tour – we’ve played in some gorgeous towns. It’s lovely to be in a job you love and see a bit of the country as well. “I hope people come along and see the show – it’s a great night out.”

 

Monday to Saturday. Box office: 01865 305305, oxfordplayhouse.com