It is not often I go to watch something at Richmond Theatre with preconceptions but, having seen this exhilarating piece of theatre in the West End previously, that was the case with The 39 Steps.

Richard Ede begins his opening monologue, as the ever-so-dashing yet comical Richard Hannay, as he means to go on.

“The last day really, everything’s gone a bit haywire frankly,” he muses. “Wouldn’t say it’s been easy – pretty damned difficult actually.”

For the uninitiated, The 39 Steps is a four-hander with all four actors playing something in the region of 130 different characters – it should be a farce, but is isn’t.

It is a traditional British plot of murder, spies and espionage and the quartet utilise the space and props available to them immensely well.

Ede is an excellent Hannay, displaying all the attributes West End fans have come to expect from the blundering hero, and Olivia Greene makes for the perfect foil as leading lady.

It is rare for me to describe any piece of theatre as a ‘must-see’ but this is one of those occasions.

Was it as good as a touring production as it was when I saw it at the Criterion? It’s hard to put much space between them, really.

I would absolutely watch The 39 Steps for a third time – and then again and again and again and again.

For information and ticket details of future performances, visit love39steps.com.