When someone says 'Hitchcock' you conjour up a very specific idea of the film or stage show in question. This production of The 39 Steps turns that perception on its head with a laugh-out-loud comedy based on the 1935 movie.

A beautifully constructed parody of the original, the story remains largely the same. And, from humble beginnings, The 39 Steps has played around the world including a nine-year stint in the West End, and has won multiple awards including two Tony's and an Olivier.

I love a good thriller, so I don't mind admitting I was nervous when I sat down in a less-than-sold out auditorium to face the unknown...but I was pleasantly surprised!

The story 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.

The action takes place on a fairly bare stage, save for a handful of props to denote scene changes. Having a somewhat (intentionally) basic approach to some of those props (the Forth Bridge is made of three ladders, for example) makes for incredibly slick transitions and an aesthetic which is incredibly pleasing to the eye.

It should also be noted that this is a cast of four, performing over 130 roles between them; some with more than a hint of 'The Play That Goes Wrong' to them. Each of our leads is exceptional and this is a production which requires exceptional timing and teamwork.

It seems callous to pick a stand out performer because it's the camaraderie and trust they put into each other which makes The 39 Steps work so well.

It's rare for a play to get such a rapturous response at its curtain call but this production landed so well it was more than deserved.

The 39 Steps plays at The Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 8th June. For more information, or to buy your tickets, head to atgtickets.com/birmingham.