Charles Edwards in The 39 Steps in London (2006)(Theatre stills by Alastair Muir; poster artwork by Mark Thomas; vox pops video by WhatsOnStage.)This is part 1 of a 2 part special celebrating Charles in The 39 Steps, where he made his debut as the debonair Richard Hannay 20 years ago.The play started life in 1996 at a tiny theatre in Richmond, Yorkshire. Nearly a decade later, Patrick Barlow got a hold of it and rewrote the script, and this revamped version debuted in Leeds in 2005 directed by Fiona Buffini.Under director and fellow actress Maria Aitken, in 2006 it then made its way to the capital to the Tricycle (now Kiln) Theatre in Kilburn, picking up Charles on the way (he had just finished starring in Hay Fever on the West End). It opened on 14th August, and after this sold-out run, it transferred to the West End's Criterion Theatre on 14th September. This transfer was a huge critical and commercial success.Charles took inspiration from Robert Donat's Richard Hannay from the 1935 film, and also comedian Harry Enfield, who did spoofs of early 20th century British educational films.He recieved rave reviews for his turn as the hero, being described as exuding "sincerity, charming manners, and perfectly groomed good looks mixed with public school gaucheness". The play won the Best New Comedy Award at the 2007 Oliviers and the play lasted 9 years at the Criterion, totalling 3,731 performances in its lifetime in London.........[#charlesedwards #the39steps #criteriontheatre #celebrimbor]

Legal drama 'War' will welcome Marisa Tomei, Kelly Macdonald and David Harewood for second season.