STIFF upper lips and splitting sides will be the order of the day for Maria Aitken’s production of John Buchan’s adventure tale The 39 Steps in Manchester from April 12 to 17.

Published in 1915, the novel introduced us to the dashing Richard Hannay, complete with pencil moustache and full of British gung-ho.

The story has murders, double-crossing, espionage, as well as plane crashes and a chase from London to Scotland, all linked to a dastardly plot by German spies.

More Hannay adventures followed, but The 39 Steps has always remained the favourite, thanks to no less than three film versions and a TV serialisation just last year.

Alfred Hitchcock was the first to bring the story to celluloid life in 1935.

The film starred Robert Donat, and was your typical film thriller of the time; and for good measure featured The Flying Scotsman.

In 1959, Hannay was brought to cinematic life again by Kenneth More.

This version was set just before the Second World War and had more humour than the first film.

Finally, in 1978, we had dashing Robert Powell in the role, memorably hanging from one of the hands of Big Ben.

This theatrical version, adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, contains every legendary scene from the Hitchcock film, but is an out-and-out comedy.

So successful has it been that it is now in its fourth year in the West End, where it has won the Olivier and Whatsonstage Awards for Best Comedy.

On Broadway it has also garnered two Tony Awards.

There are more than 139 roles in the 100-minute production, yet there are only four actors in the cast: Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, Katherine Kingsley, Dan Starkey and Richard Brain.

Bruce-Lockhart, fresh from playing Teddy Lloyd in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie at the Edinburgh Festival, plays the hero Hannay and would appear to have the easiest time of it.

He says: “I’m lucky, I only have to play Hannay — so I don’t have to deal with the countless costume changes.

"But the others have fantastically quick changes, and the backstage show is almost as exhilarating as the on-stage show.”

Bruce-Lockhart started playing the role late last year in Liverpool.

“I started playing Hannay on December 3, but had been rehearsing it since November 7.

"Not a long time considering the nature of a show as fast-paced and fiddly as this. It was great fun though.

“After the Liverpool run finished in January, we’ve been on the road with it.”

With there being the original novel and three film versions, Bruce-Lockhart pointed out exactly where the main influence was from.

“The plot is very close to the Hitchcock version,” he said.

“In fact, there are some scenes where the dialogue is almost a direct lift in homage.”

Yet there are some changes?

“Oh yes, but I can’t tell you without giving the plot away.

“The main thing about the show is that as it is being done on stage with four actors it demands inventive theatrical solutions to keep those set piece scenes . . . so they are different, of course, from the film.

“But all the crucial scenes are there — the Forth Bridge, the plane chase, the train, the Scottish Highlands, and the handcuffs.”

The man who adapted the novel for the stage, Patrick Barlow, is very complimentary about the acting team.

He said: “We have four very skilled actors in the show — and they need to be.

"Where else would they get the opportunity to run out on stage as an old lady, come off and then go back on minutes later as an underworld villain?”

As for Bruce-Lockhart, whose TV credits include Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders, Brookside and Wycliffe, and who also appeared in the blockbuster movie Hart’s War, is looking forward to renewing his acquaintance with Manchester.

He said: “I have done several shows over the years at the Lowry, and I also did a show at the Royal Exchange shortly after the bombing in 1995, when we had to use the covered market as a replacement stage.

“I love Manchester, it’s a great place for fun and frolics and a night in the Press Club is always one to remember.”

* The 39 Steps is at the Opera House in Manchester from Monday, April 12 until Saturday, April 17 at 7.30pm, with matinee shows at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are £9 to £24 (subject to a booking fee) and are available from the box office on 0844 847 2295.