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# Local theatre group brings comedy performance to the Lichfield Garrick
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/local-theatre-group-brings-comedy-performance-to-the-lichfield-garrick/
- Published: 2012-09-06T07:30:43.000Z
- Updated: 2012-09-05T07:19:01.000Z
- Author: Ann Mayo
- Tags: What's On, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41

A rip-roaring parody of a Hitchcock spy classic comes to the Lichfield Garrick this month.

For theatregoers who like a good laugh and a heavy dose of silliness, The 39 Steps is a must. Presented by Different Animal Theatre Group, the production features iconic scenes from the film, such as a breath-taking chase on the Flying Scotsman, an escape on the Forth Bridge, a bi-plane crash and death-defying finale – all created with minimal props and much imagination!

[![Patrick Jervis and Lucy Pearson during rehearsals](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/39-steps-2.jpg "Patrick Jervis and Lucy Pearson during rehearsals")](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/?attachment%5Fid=112904)

Patrick Jervis and Lucy Pearson during rehearsals

A cast of five play 139 characters in this hilarious story of dashing hero Richard Hannay’s bid to catch the baddies.

This blissfully funny show follows Hannay’s incredible adventures, complete with stiff-upper-lip and British gung-ho, as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

Director Dan Branch said: “Different Animal Theatre Group return with their second production at the Garrick Studio, after February’s production in-the-round of Blue Remembered Hills. The group’s love of physical theatre will be well-suited to this comedy that moves at break-neck speed.

“The play has ridiculous throw-away stage directions, such as: ‘Hannay leaps from the moving train’ or ‘the biplanes swoop down and open machine gun fire.’ All of this epic action is produced on a 4 metre by 5 metre stage, with the use of three steamer trunks, bucket loads of imagination and lots of silliness.

“Audiences should expect a parody of all things Hitchcock-related: clipped British accents, Harris Tweed and pencil moustaches. The play rarely stops for breath; it is a loud, exciting and ultimately very daft way to spend an evening at the theatre!”

Different Animal was set up earlier this year by local director Dan Branch. The idea is to offer Lichfield audience’s something out of the ordinary; to produce unusual, quirky performances that entertain and challenge.

The group uses a combination of local actors and students drawn from drama schools and University Drama and Performing Arts courses.

This production features Patrick Jervis as Hannay, Terry Sharrock and Stefan Dufaye as a couple of clowns, Lucy Pearson is the femme fatale/love interest and Annie Blackwell the stage manager, who appears on stage throughout the production!.

The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan, runs at the Garrick Studio from September 18 to 22\. Tickets are £12 (£10 students), from the Garrick box office on 01543 412121 or book online at [www.lichfieldgarrick.co.uk](http://www.lichfieldgarrick.co.uk/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk).