Catherine McCormack to Star in The 39 Steps on the London Stage

Catherine McCormack is set to star in a stage version of The 39 Steps. The show, directed by Maria Aitken, will begin previews at London's Tricycle Theatre on August 10 and is scheduled to run there through September 9.

McCormack is best known for her roles in the films Braveheart, Dangerous Beauty, Dancing at Lughnasa and Spy Game. Her other feature film credits include The Land Girls, Shadow of the Vampire, The Weight of Water, A Sound of Thunder and Renaissance. She was nominated for an Olivier Theatre Award in 2001 for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in All My Sons at the National Theatre. Her other stage credits include Vermillion Dreams at the Salisbury Playhouse, Lie of the Mind at the Donmar, Dinner, Free and Honour at the National Theatre and White Horses at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

John Buchan wrote the novel The 39 Steps; however, the story is better known as a 1935 film thriller directed by Alfred Hitchock. Patrick Barlow has adapted the text for the stage. The show contains every scene from the movie, including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the bi-plane crash and the death-defying finale set inside the London Palladium.

In addition to McCormack, the cast of The 39 Steps will include Rupert Degas Stones in his Pockets, Charles Edwards currently appearing on the London stage in Hay Fever and Simon Gregor who previously appeared in The 39 Steps at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. During the course of the play, the four actors will play more than 150 roles.

The 39 Steps is scheduled to officially open on August 14.