Based on the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock thriller, The 39 Steps is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a national tour after a long run in London’s West End.

Adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, the comedy follows dashing stiff-upper-lip hero Richard Hannay, complete with gung-ho attitude and pencil moustache in a dangerous tale of cat-and-mouse from London to the Scottish Highlands.

But hold on to your hats: four actors play more than 130 characters in 100 minutes. They are Richard Ede as hero Hannay; Olivia Greene as the three women in his life, Pamela, Annabella and Margaret; and Andrew Hodges and Rob Witcomb as the myriad of other roles.

The show, which has an Olivier Award, is directed by Maria Aitken and references a number of the legendary scenes from the 1935 movie classic.

We caught up with Olivia Greene between costume changes to find out more about the show...

How hard is it to play so many different characters in one play?

At first it was definitely a challenge because the switches are quick, but the more I practised, the easier it was. The fact they’re all so different from each other makes it easier. There have been times when I’ve used the wrong accent.

The 39 Steps has a rich history, what with John Buchan’s original novel, Hitchcock’s film, plus this show’s long run. Does that put added pressure on you?

It does when you put it like that! The play takes more inspiration from the Hitchcock movie, but we’ve put our own spin on it.

Which is your favourite part to play?

I love them all for different reasons, but Annabella Schmidt, the German spy, is a lot of fun.

What makes this show different?

The unexpected comedy element! It’s not your normal style of theatre, so it’s definitely something different. And the fact that it operates on three levels as an adventure, love story and comedy makes it thoroughly entertaining. It’s got something for everyone – adventure, thrills, spies, plot-twists, great characters, but at its heart it is a classic love story.

Which is your favourite scene?

Some of the moments that Man One and Man Two have together are hilarious and I find it very hard not to laugh myself sometimes!

It’s not your first time at The Orchard Theatre, is it?

I’m really looking forward to performing at The Orchard again! I performed three different shows there while at college, so I think it’s going to feel very homely. It’s going to be an incredible contrast, having last performed as a student with so many hopes and dreams compared with now, when my dreams have come true!

DETAILS

The 39 Steps will be at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from Monday, February 1 to Saturday, February 6. Tickets from £15; visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.