Weaverham High School's comic staging of The 39 Steps

Dedicated students at Weaverham High School are putting the finishing touches to their farcical stageplay The 39 Steps, based on the 1915 novel by John Buchan, and immortalized in a 1935 film by the ‘master of film noir’ himself.

This riveting classic spy story sees dashing colonial posh-boy, Richard Hannay, become entangled in an anarchist plot to destabilise the whole continent of Europe, beginning with the assassination of the Greek premier, Constantine Karolides.

Hannay is forced to flee London to escape the grasp of his spy-master enemies, taking to ground in the highlands of Scotland, but his derring-do patriotism means he won't rest on his laurels for long.

Student from Weaverham High School rehearse The Thirty-Nine Steps (Image: Weaverham High School)

Weaverham's head of drama, Charlotte Murray, said: “There’s never a dull moment. It’s very fast paced and energetic, which is going to make it really engaging for the audience.

"There are also elements where things are deliberately planned to go wrong, which is massive fun.  

“It’s been really demanding for the young people involved. Getting that pace has been a journey for them.”

Weaverham’s production involves a cast of 43 students, plus 12 student stage managers, a six-strong production crew supported by professionals, and countless set and costumer makers taken from years eight to 11.

Charlotte added: “It's not everyone’s cup of tea to be out on stage singing and dancing, but we want them to understand that theatre is for everybody, and that there is a role for everyone within the production.

“Often the arts can be exclusive, and if young people don’t have exposure to them during these really formative years, there is a danger that they will feel excluded from it for the rest of their lives.

“It’s giving them experiences and understanding of theatre and the arts that perhaps they wouldn’t access otherwise.

“Expressive arts as a whole is really valued here at Weaverham. It always has been, but we’re starting to recognise, post-covid, how important it is for young people to have an outlet to express themselves, and how important that is for their mental health and wellbeing.”

The Thirty-Nine Steps runs from Tuesday, February 14, to Thursday, February 16.

Tickets are available through the school's Scopay system.