TWEED Theatre is gearing itself up for its next production.

In May, the group will perform The 39 steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow.

It borrows from the classic Hitchcock film of 1935, which was itself based on the famous John Buchan spy thriller.

It’s 1935 and the suave Richard Hannah is bored with London life.

His pals are all settled, married, or in the case of Chips Carruthers, eaten by crocodiles up the Limpopo.

He finally resorts to the theatre for distraction.

The action then takes off at a terrifying pace with mystery, mayhem, murder and mirth.

Hannah finds himself up to the neck in dead bodies, train chases and plane hunts, all involving a dastardly plan to steal British air defence secrets.

Played at a frenetic pace by four actors (three male and one female), taking many parts, the action ranges from the West End to the Highlands.

The surreal style has echoes of Monty Python and the National Theatre of Brent with quick comic changes the order of the day.

The audition for this play is on Monday, January 16, in the upper room at the Cross Keys (Wetherspoons), Northgate, Peebles at 7.30pm.