The West End’s longest-running comedy The 39 Steps – adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken – visits Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts from March 1^st.
This blissfully funny show follows the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff upper lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women. A cast of 4 fearless actors plays over 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.
Maria Aitken’s multi award-winning production contains every single legendary scene from the 1935 classic Hitchcock movie thriller, including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium, as well as the ‘stockings and suspenders scene’, considered controversial at the time of the film’s release.
RADA trained actor Dugald Bruce Lockhart who plays lead Richard Hannay actually had a relative who was an international spy. His great uncle Bertie, aka Robert ‘Bertie’ Bruce Lockhart (1887-1920), served as British Vice Consul in Moscow in 1911 – 1917 and was sent home just before the October Russian Revolution on account of an unsuitable extramarital affair (see attached document).
The other cast members are Katherine Kingsley as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela, Dan Starkey as Man 1 and Richard Braine as Man 2.

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Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts welcomes another classic thriller from the pen of prolific writer Francis Durbridge, as Ian Dickens Productions Ltd present a stylish new production of Fatal Encounter from January 26th.
An all star cast is led by Nicholas Ball who shot to fame as the title role in Hazell and most recently appeared in EastEnders as the gangster Terry Bates. He is joined by well-loved British star Anita Harris and respected television and stage actor Neil Stacy (Duty Free). They are joined by Michael Howe (from the sit com Solo), Susan Skipper (Don’t Wait Up) and regular Ian Dickens’ actor Michael Kirk.
Howard Mansfield is concerned for his wife Joanna, who has become unusually distressed and nervous. When he arrives home one day to find that Joanna has accidentally shot his former friend Perry during a struggle, he decides to protect her by confessing to the shooting himself.
Although the police accept that the shooting was an accident, Perry’s death leaves Howard caught up in a web of international blackmail, conspiracy and attempted murder.

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