maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 APRIL 2024
2
THEATRE
SECRETS, espionage & some
side-splitting comedy take
centre stage in FM Theatre
Productions' and Teatru Ma-
noel's upcoming co-produc-
tion of The 39 Steps. Inspired
by the iconic movie by Alfred
Hitchcock and the classic John
Buchan novel, the play takes a
comedic twist in Patrick Bar-
low's adaptation.
Set in the 1930s, "The 39
Steps" follows the misad-
ventures of Richard Hannay.
Played by theatre veteran Alan
Paris, Hannay has been framed
for a mysterious murder, in
his apartment, that he did not
commit. On the run across
England and Scotland, the plot
thickens as Hannay tries to
clear his name only to realise
that he's found himself caught
up in a sinister plot involving
spies and political intrigue.
As he trudges from one sce-
nario to the next he meets
various personalities, an im-
pressive 250 eccentric char-
acters, played by Edward
Mercieca and Stephen Oliver.
Shapeshifting from one role to
the next, with humour, wit and
gusto, the dynamic duo play a
myriad of roles from salesmen,
to policemen, pilots, milkmen,
comperes and everything in be-
tween!
Hilariously caught up in Han-
nay's predicament, Pamela,
played by Sarah Mercieca, is
sceptical of his innocence, but,
with confidential information
about the British Air Defence
at stake they have no choice
but to push on.
Directed by Chris Gatt, this
theatrical spectacle promises
to be an exhilarating blend of
intrigue, laughter and absurd-
ity.
The 39 Steps will be per-
formed this April at Teatru
Manoel from the 19th till the
21st and on the following
weekend from the 26th till the
28th.
For more information visit
www.teatrumanoel.mt
The 39
Steps to
be staged
at Teatru
Manoel
this April
