ALFRED Hitchcock's memorable film The 39 Steps has been adapted for the stage with just four actors playing more than 39 classic roles.

Written by John Buchan in 1915, the "gripping romantic whodunnit" arrives at Malvern's Festival Theatre for a week starting on Monday.

The talented and versatile cast of Robert Whitelock, Lisa Jackson, Simon Gregor and Mark Hadfield transport the audience "into a world of dastardly espionage, breathless romance and daredevil escapes."

The tale is centred around innocent hero Richard Hannay after the murder of a young woman in his apartment. A spokesman explained: "He runs from the police and secret agents, from London to the Scottish Highlands and back again, leaving many memorable characters in his wake, not to mention a beautiful woman at every turn."

The spokesman added: "The production includes all the most legendary Hitchcock scenes from the chase on the Flying Scotsman and the escape on the Forth Bridge, to the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium."

The 39 Steps runs evenings from Monday August 1 to Saturday, August 6, at 8pm with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced £14-22 (£8 for under 25s) from 01684 892277 or e-mail

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk