Cast announced for Hitchcock-inspired hit, The 39 Steps A co-production presented by Hull Truck Theatre and Derby Theatre.

This Autumn, Hull Truck Theatre will present 39 Steps (Wednesday 21 October -Saturday 14 November) in collaboration with Derby Theatre. The Hitchcock-inspired hit will be directed by Cal McCrystal, and we are delighted to announce the full cast.

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.

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 audiences this Autumn. 

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."

Joining the stellar cast will be 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, Stanley for Junk Theatre, The Secret Several for Airbourne Theatre, The Idiot, Volpone, Measure for Measure for Royal Central School of Speech and Drama); 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 Hanay (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.”

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

Tickets for The 39 Steps are available now and can be purchased via https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/ or by calling the Box Office on 01482 323638.  

Recommended age guidance: 10+. A variety of access performances are also available, and for advisory content warnings, please see the Hull Truck Theatre website.