JOHN Buchan's thrilling espionage novel The 39 Steps, immortalised by the 1930s Hitchcock film, is brought to the Malvern stage this week.

But how, you ask, can the classic scenes from the movie - the daring Forth Bridge escape, the chase across the Highlands and the biplane crash - be recreated for the theatre?

The answer is pure genius. And very, very funny. For this is The 39 Steps with laughs.

It makes for a very unsettling 10 or so minutes when the audience is not sure whether it should be laughing. This is a serious thriller, after all, isn't it?

But when a little wooden train is rolled across the stage to illustrate the fact the characters are travelling on board, the audience sees the joke.

Just four very talented actors - Mark Hadfield, Simon Gregor, Lisa Jackson and Robert Whitelock - take on all the roles.

All work extremely hard and obviously relish the chance to stretch their skills with a variety of characters and the original lines from the film are used to devastating comic effect.

And the joke is continued with the inventive use of the sets - all making for a great night's entertainment.

Some may say Hitchcock would turn in his grave if he saw this production. I like to think he would be rolling around - with laughter.

The production runs until Saturday.

Sarah Veall