The 39 Steps Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★★★☆
“Better than I thought!”
Written on: 01/01/2013
I saw 39 steps with my GCSE drama group, before we went in we were all moaning asking why couldn't we go and see a musical or something else? However once we came out everyone was surprised at how entertaining it was! The actors did a wonderful performance! However... If your a person who isn't up for a laugh or to be a bit silly for a night it isn't for you! (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Don't waste an evening. This is a disaster.”
Written on: 11/10/2012 by Gordon2012 (1 review written)
I was hugely disappointed by the 39 Steps. While the 4 actors work hard to make the best of a terrible script, they are on a loser here. No level of acting talent could make this play a success. The performance is just not that funny and fails totally as a comedy and as a parody of the original drama. The audience around me, near the front, sat in relative silence throughout, with just the odd burst of laughter, mostly out of politeness rather than any genuine reaction. ... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“tragic play but good use of multiple charicterisation!”
Written on: 08/03/2012
i saw the play as part of a school tripi myself found the storyline of the play absoulutely awfull and putting on a scottish and german accent does not look realistic. you can tell strait away that the actors try too hard and is hardly worth putting on the west end. although the acting was bad they made good use of the props on stage and were able to put on and take off props very quickly. the whole play was far too short. and the highlight of the evening was leaving. i would not reccomend... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“How did this ever get to the West End?”
Written on: 29/08/2011
I have wasted half a day of my life travelling to and watching this show. I really don't want to waste much more time on it but feel duty-bound to warn others. This show is a complete waste of time and space. It is badly written, not funny and just plain boring. However, half the audience seemed to enjoy it and it makes me wonder what other things they like watching for laughs. I would like to give this 0 stars for both overall rating and value for money, but this site insists that I give it... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Numbingly boring, amateurish, waste of money”
Written on: 28/08/2011 by Miranda67
So dreadfully unfunny. I wanted to like this as it is a 'small' show in the West End. But it was awful from start to finish. Completely amateurish. Might have chuckled once in the first five minutes but it went downhill from there. The second half was even worse. This is billed as the funniest show in London!!!?! We stayed for the whole show as we had paid £70 for two tickets and wanted our money's worth, wished we didn't. Complete waste of time and money. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Awful”
Written on: 21/06/2011 by Nimbostratus
I have never seen anything as painfully awful as this. We left in the interval, which wasn't soon enough. I cannot believe people laughed at this moronic nonsense. I hate myself for being there at all. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Compare this show to the wors`t amateur dramatic...”
Written on: 17/03/2011
Compare this show to the wors`t amateur dramatic production you have ever seen.
Poor acting purile humour, a disgrace to the London theatre scene
(read more)
★★★★★
“Really enjoyed the show and my mum almost wet herself...”
Written on: 27/02/2011
Really enjoyed the show and my mum almost wet herself laughing. Very cleverly done at times and just generally a great laugh. recommend to anyone if you like a laugh (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“39 steps - What a waste of time and money. if i could...”
Written on: 01/12/2010
39 steps - What a waste of time and money. if i could have given it 0 stars, believe me i would have. I took a date to this show on the recommendation of a work colleague. the entire front 2 rows were full of kids which was the first warning sign, but on reflection i didnt hear the kids laugh once, they obviously have a better sense of humour than most at the theatre.
The show was so slapstick, i was cringing. it wasnt even the funny kind of slapstick that the tv show "bottom" was so good...
(read more)
★★★★★
“I saw the 39 steps as i managed to get cheap tickets...”
Written on: 22/11/2010
I saw the 39 steps as i managed to get cheap tickets off lastminute.com for just 10 pounds! I went with my friend's daughter as we both really like the musical wicked and had seen Dianne Pilkington in it loads of times. we went to a matinee performance on Wednesday 17th November and was at first surprised by how empty the theatre was and i hoped this wasnt a reflection on the show!
well thank goodness it wasnt. i honestly havent laughed at the theatre so much in years. My friend's...
(read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 30 Reviews
★★★★★
“Very funny, fast-paced. ”
Written on: 29/10/2010
Very funny, fast-paced.
Actors very enthusiastic,energetic and spoke out clearly. Little guy who played a Scot and ladies' roles very funny and the hero with the moustache is very dashing!
When I bought the tickets I thought it was a thriller. Only discovered it was a comedy when turned up at the theatre. Bought tickets for £10.99 from the internet- View London site.
Loved the ambiance in the theatre, friendly staff and ice-cream!
Hope to return.
(read more)
★★★★★
“based on show of saturday 28th august 2010 .i didnt...”
Written on: 31/08/2010
based on show of saturday 28th august 2010 .i didnt know what to ecspect as my some wanted to see the show.and being on a budget we were limited .so we got two tickets for a matinee show.
our tickets were for £12.50 and limited veiws in the upper upper circle,but this was'nt a problem ,when we got there the veiw was good and because it was a matinee and less people sitting in the upper upper circle, we were boosted to the seats in front of our row wich was row b ,we now were allowed to move...
(read more)
★★★★★
“Very funny! Slap-stick comedy, quick paced, acting...”
Written on: 11/07/2010
Very funny! Slap-stick comedy, quick paced, acting makes you believe the scenes they are in even though there is very little prop changes. They reuse many props, but it is believable. I will take my husband here and see it a second time. Also, references to Hitchcock movies are funny and enjoyable. I definitely recommend it for a light/ care-free night out. I am 24 years old btw. (read more)
★★★★☆
“We got tickets from the ticket booth at Leicester Sq...”
Written on: 25/04/2010
We got tickets from the ticket booth at Leicester Sq that afternoon at a good price. Of the four of us I was the only one who'd read the Times editor's pick that Friday which said what great fun it was. We all loved it; brilliant visual gags and a hell of a pace by the four actors who played all the parts. It affectionately sends up the original book and films. And as someone else on this site has already said not too long! My attention didn't stray for a moment and I have to say it... (read more)
Sukisue10's Comment
Written on: 29/04/2010
I found this review helpful because...I wanted to see what 'real people' think about the play and not just the critics view!
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★★★★★
“I went to 39 steps without knowing what to expect. I...”
Written on: 14/04/2010
I went to 39 steps without knowing what to expect. I wikipedia the plot and was expecting a nice gangster story. Little did I know that the I woudl watch the most ingenious storytelling with great tomfoolery and cutting edge character changing. The play was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-IC a true comedy and a superb night out. I left the theater thinking that true talent does exist and I was lucky enough to watch such a smart production and direction. Well done . It was a great night out for all . I... (read more)
Sukisue10's Comment
Written on: 29/04/2010
I found this review very helpful because...it explains what the person was expecting and what he thought of play.
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★★★★★
“this was a great night at the theatre - really funny...”
Written on: 22/03/2010
this was a great night at the theatre - really funny and well acted by the cast of just 4 people. It deserves a packed house for every performance. (read more)
★★★★★
“Just happened to see this by chance.. only to find...”
Written on: 26/02/2010
Just happened to see this by chance.. only to find that the day we chose was the day the understudy was performing as John Hopkins was away.. Well it was absolutely brilliant .. we cried with laughter and had a wonderful evening. would thoroughly recommend it. Great night out and not too long!!! The four actors did a great job playing numerous characters. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Think Sixth Form school play and you won't go far...”
Written on: 30/12/2009 by katesumer (1 review written)
Think Sixth Form school play and you won't go far wrong. Embarrassingly amateurish script and performances. Done at such a frenetic pace that parts of the dialogue were incomprehensible.
I love all sorts of comedy but this one left me cold. How this ever made it to a professional stage is beyond me. The best part was not returning after the interval. Shocking.
(read more)
★★★★★
“39 steps was performed brilliantly, the actors really...”
Written on: 28/12/2009
39 steps was performed brilliantly, the actors really showed their depth with their spot on performances. Triggers and pauses were used very well and so were facial expressions and physical theatre. None of the actors could be faulted in any way and the line learning was impeccable. The ease in which the characters swapped rolls was very impressive. I would liked to have known that the quality was so good before i bought my tickets so i could buy for another night also. I would happily go... (read more)
★★★★★
“The theatre play 39 steps was a thrilling well made...”
Written on: 11/11/2009 by ezraee123 (1 review written)
The theatre play 39 steps was a thrilling well made action movie that made the audience seat on the edge of their seats. It was filled with goo moral comedy. The 4 Crew Theatre production is a thrilling experience the actors made it seem realistic the stage props and effects were quick. It was good clean fun. It had high energy the 4 actors new their job. The love interest was brilliant clever and beautiful she really perfected the highly amazing presentation. The 4 actions all kept with... (read more)
Ht Harrison's Response to ezraee123's Review
Written on: 17/11/2009
My Mother always says..."if you can't say anything helpful, then don't say anything at all"....
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See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 30 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“What a waste of time. The humour was about as high...”
Written on: 11/11/2009 by HT Harrison (1 review written)
What a waste of time. The humour was about as high brow as that of a Children's Saturday morning television presenter, knowing they were on the bottle last night, you can see the strain on their faces of having to appear lively during their attempts of wit.
I was indeed shocked that members of the audience were laughing at such overt "comedy".
Needless to say, I was mildly amused by the set and costume changes, however I feel this really distracted from the plot, which come to think of it,...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“The 39 Steps was not funny.Boring.Pointless.Massiveley...”
Written on: 25/06/2009 by clark39 (1 review written)
The 39 Steps was not funny.Boring.Pointless.Massiveley over-hyped.After 3 days I am still in shock that such a low standard could exist in the West End.In future I will always research the reviews - if I had looked on this site before booking I would have known better.There was no plot or drama so the only possibility left for entertainment was comedy and in a very long hour and a half I think I smiled 5 times.One guy was killing himself laughing in a very unconvincing manner and even... (read more)
★★★★★
“I was amazed by the talent of the actors and the way...”
Written on: 03/12/2008
I was amazed by the talent of the actors and the way only 4 of them kept up with the pace of the story and comedy element. It was very enjoyable and hilairious. The best thing i've seen at a theatre and i highly recommend it. The props were very limited and this added to the comedy a lot, especailly with the door, it was funny how they walked through it and were suddenly on the oposite side of the room. Also the actors use of facial expressions and voice added to the performance. I would... (read more)
Ezraee123's Comment
Written on: 11/11/2009
I found this review very helpful because... It was direct had all the good things about it which was true
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★★★★★
“Amazingly funny, high energy and brilliant to watch....”
Written on: 30/11/2008
Amazingly funny, high energy and brilliant to watch. The smoke was a bit annoying, covered the first few rows and made visibility difficult. A must see. (read more)
★★★★★
“The 39 Steps is good clean fun. Everyone who was there...”
Written on: 12/09/2008 by rabmim (1 review written)
The 39 Steps is good clean fun. Everyone who was there must have read the book or watched one of the films. This is just a mind jog back to these. Let yourself fill in the blanks, and if it makes you want to read or watch it again then surely it has done its job! (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“I really wanted to enjoy this show. I liked the idea...”
Written on: 28/06/2008 by lorax (1 review written)
I really wanted to enjoy this show. I liked the idea of it, it came highly recommended by others, and the tickets were a present. Just like 'Guest' below we wanted to leave at the interval, but felt duty bound to stay because it was a gift. I guess this just shows how much of an individual thing taste is as we certainly seemed to be in a minority, but perhaps this is just one of those shows that polarises people. And in case you're thinking we're just humourless losers, I'd like to point out... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I genuinely would have left at the interval if it...”
Written on: 03/06/2008
I genuinely would have left at the interval if it hadn't have been a coach trip. I was not only bored but annoyed at the same gags over and over again which were not funny in the first place. I would not say that I wouldn't recommend this show because some of my friends loved it - it's just down to personal opinion and mine was not good. If you like cheap gags, more than a funny storyline and script then this show is for you. If not, don't bother. (read more)
★★★★★
“Making the plot simpler just made it so the comedy...”
Written on: 17/04/2008
Making the plot simpler just made it so the comedy come out. Also there are 4 performers playing at least 150 parts, most of those parts played by Rupert Degas and Simon Gregor as Charles Edwards only plays Hannay and Catherine McCormak plays only 3 parts. The crossing and changing of parts by Degas and Gregor is very frantic but with a fine bit of grace, rehearsed to perfection is the term I would use. (read more)
★★★★★
“Go and see it before it goes of the stage!!!”
Written on: 16/04/2008 by lydiabonner
Go and see it before it goes of the stage!!! (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Besides boringly repetitive running sight gags, we...”
Written on: 01/10/2007 by nonesuch
Besides boringly repetitive running sight gags, we have actors who tell us their problems, instead of acting the frustration of trying to do things right within their ridiculously limited resources. It should be their frustration we laugh at, and they should race from one frustration/gag to the next. Can't imagine The 39 Steps being such a hit in the West End, nor making it on Broadway. It seems quite amateurish. (read more)
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Guest's Comment
Written on: 19/03/2012
I don't think one can really trust your childish simplistic opinion judging from your awful spelling. Have you ever come across the word "irony" in the dictionary, look it up, it may help you in your future.