The 39 Steps: Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

One hundred years ago John Buchan wrote The 39 Steps, a lively murder mystery and spy story set in London and Scotland.

The adaptation at Keswick keeps fairly close to the original story but mixes in a huge dose of comedy.

What's very clever about the play is how everyday objects on stage are transformed. The conceit is that a family and two workmen are delayed decorating a flat and, while they wait for the wallpaper to arrive, read Buchan's story and start to re-enact it.

This allows a standard lamp to become a street light, picture frames to turn into windows and scaffolding and ladders to double as the Forth Bridge.

Just four actors play a multitude of roles. There are some good set pieces, including a chase through a crowded Flying Scotsman, some strong acting and plenty of movement and action on stage.

At times I found the pace needed picking up a little - this is something that might well evolve over coming weeks - and the comedy was a bit too slapstick for me on occasion.

But, overall, it was a fun evening in a lovely theatre.