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The 39 Steps

Adapted by Patrick Barlow

Direct from the West End, Broadway and 25 countries around the globe, comes a joyous version of the Alfred Hitchcock classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps, brilliantly and hilariously recreated as a smash-hit comedy.

Winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy the show follows the 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.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping production features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.

Uproariously jolly and splendidly inventive. Guardian

Venue: Main Stage  |  Category: Drama Comedy

Date Time Booking Price Extra
Mon 24/6 19:30 Book Tickets £25.50 / £22.50 / £18.50

Enjoy! membership 25%
Tue 25/6 19:30 Book Tickets £25.50 / £22.50 / £18.50
Wed 26/6 19:30 Book Tickets £25.50 / £22.50 / £18.50
Thu 27/6 14:30 Book Tickets £23.50 / £20.50 / £16.50
Thu 27/6 19:30 Book Tickets £28 / £25 / £21
Fri 28/6 20:00 Book Tickets £28 / £25 / £21
Sat 29/6 14:30 Book Tickets £25.50 / £22.50 / £18.50

Enjoy! membership 25%
Sat 29/6 19:30 Book Tickets £28 / £25 / £21



Ticket Office: 01865 305305 View our opening hours



Enjoy!

Save money on your tickets and be the first to know what’s happening at the Playhouse.

For just £50 a year you can receive generous discounts on tickets for yourself and a friend (two tickets maximum per show). Join Enjoy! ( formerly Stagecard) and receive the following benefits:

  • Half price tickets for two people to many shows
  • Guaranteed early mailing of Oxford Playhouse brochure
  • Priority booking for productions in Oxford Playhouse’s season
  • Online booking for Enjoy! discounts
  • Two free house programmes per year
  • Special offers and invitations from local arts

Please contact the Box Office on 01865 305305 for more details and to purchase.

A list of all current shows with Enjoy! discount is available via our homepage, on the right-hand column > Filters > Enjoy! Performances. Or click here to view the list.

Audio Description

Audio description is a service for people with visual impairments. It is a live verbal commentary delivered during a performance, capturing the key visual elements such as actions and movements, gestures and facial expressions, sets, props and costumes. The description is relayed to the audience member through a lightweight headset which is supplied by the venue.

Touch Tours

At some performances a touch tour will be available before a performance. This means that before the performance the describer will visit the set with the service users, describe elements of the design and encourage them to touch surfaces, costumes and props so that they can understand the geography and nuances of the performance. Please phone Box Office to book free tickets for the touch tours.

A list of all Access show/performances is available via our homepage, on the right-hand column > Filters > Access Performance. Or click here to view the list.

Captioning

Is a service for people with hearing impairments of all kinds. The captioner uses a special stage text software. They convert the spoken word into text, which is displayed on a caption unit situated on or next to the stage. As the words are spoken or sung the captioner sends the specially formatted script to the display unit.

As well as dialogue, the captions also include the name of the character who is speaking or singing and descriptions of any sound effects. The difference between this and surtitling (for performances in another language) is that it is essential that all of the audible elements of the performance are communicated and the aim is that it be done with the same pace and style as the performances given as part of the production as a whole.

Captioning is also a useful tools for audience members who speak or are learning English as a second language.

'The captions helped me to understand some of the accents and was good practice for my reading skills'
Italian audience member

A list of all Access show/performances is available via our homepage, on the right-hand column > Filters > Access Performance. Or click here to view the list.

Pre-Show Talk

Talks are usually held roughly 1 hr before the performance (please check for exact times) in the Top room at Oxford Playhouse. They are commonly given by one or more members of the creative team involved in a production (Director, Writer, Designer) or by an expert in a related field or in the work of that company itself. The event is £2 to a ticket holder for the performance but it is best to book in advance as there are only 65 seats available by calling 01865 305305. Please note the Top Room is not accessible to wheelchair users.

A list of all Pre show/Post show performances is available via our homepage, on the right-hand column > Filters > Pre/Post show talks. Or click here to view the list.

Post-Show Talk

This is a chance for you to share your thoughts about a production and ask any questions that you may have. Moreover it is an opportunity for you to get more out of your visit from the playhouse, for free. We hold a post show talk for most of out week long shows, usually on a Wednesday.

The talk will be led by a member of the Oxford Playhouse Learning Team and some or all of the cast. Sometimes the director is also available. A few questions will be asked on stage and then it's your turn - all questions welcome.

A list of all Pre show/Post show performances is available via our homepage, on the right-hand column > Filters > Pre/Post show talks. Or click here to view the list.

BSL Signed Perfomance

This service is for Deaf or deafened people with at least an intermediate level of British Sign Language. During a BSL signed performance a trained performance signer will be placed somewhere on the stage to the left or right of the bulk of the action. The Signer will interpret the spoken work and essentially translate it into BSL.

A list of all Access show/performances is available via our homepage, on the right-hand column > Filters > Access Performance. Or click here to view the list.

Enhance your visit – VIP packages

link to packages

Link to the booking page

Are you aged 16-25?

OPT in! is our scheme for 16 to 25 year olds to access free, £5 and £10 tickets, along with free backstage tours, special events and discounts around the lovely city of Oxford. To OPT in! all you need to do is buy a membership card for just £1 from the Oxford Playhouse Ticket Office. Once you have your card, bring it along to collect your free and discounted tickets for shows throughout the year. It's as easy as that!

More details can be found on our OPT in! pages