The 39 Steps Play Guide For AQA GCSE Drama

SECTION B STUDY OF A SET PLAY: THE 39 STEPS 25 4 Scene 19: Sheriff’s Office • Hannay has told the Sheriff that a hymn-book in his pocket kept the bullet from killing him. He urges the Sheriff to apprehend the Professor. • When a Chief Inspector arrives, the Sheriff and he arrest Hannay for murder, but he escapes. 4 Scene 20: City Streets • Chased through the city, Hannay hears a marching band and escapes by joining in with them. 4 Scene 21: Assembly Hall • At a political meeting, Dunwoody and McQuarrie mistake Hanny for their important guest speaker. • He begins to make a speech to the assembled crowd. • Pamela enters and, recognising Hannay, rushes out. • Hannay delivers a rousing speech to wild applause. • Pamela identifies Hannay to the Inspector. • Two ‘heavies’ catch him when he tries to escape. 4 Scene 22: Assembly Hall. Foyer • Hannay tries to tell Pamela about the foreign agent. • The Heavies insist that Pamela gets in the car with them all. 4 Scene 23: Police Car. Night • Pamela questions the route and the car suddenly stops. 4 Scene 24: Police Car/Moor • A flock of sheep blocks the car and a thick fog descends. • Pamela and Hannay are handcuffed together. • Hannay jumps from the car and pulls Pamela along with him, as the Heavies give chase. 4 Scene 25: The Dark Moors • Hannay and Pamela, still handcuffed and with Hannay pretending he has a gun to keep her quiet, cross the moors. • They bicker as they become stuck crossing a stile. 4 Scene 26: McGarrigle Hotel • Claiming to be married, Hannay and Pamela get a room. 4 Scene 27: Hotel Bedroom • Mrs McGarrigle brings supper to Hannay and Pamela. • With difficulty, as still handcuffed, Pamela removes some of her wet clothing. • Hannay falls asleep. • Pamela manages to ease off the handcuff and leaves. 4 Scene 28: Hotel Lobby. Night • Pamela overhears the Heavies admitting that they are not the real police. • They say that the Professor is heading to the London Palladium and then leaving the country. • They ask the McGarrigles if they have a young couple staying with them. The McGarrigles deny that they do and tell the Heavies to leave. 4 Scene 29: Hotel Bedroom • Pamela tells Hannay that she knows he was telling the truth and that the Heavies are heading for the London Palladium. • Hannay and Pamela argue because she didn’t tell him sooner, and Hannay exits. 4 Scene 30: London Palladium Stage • Hannay is joined in the audience by Pamela. He spots the Professor in a box seat. • Pamela tells Hannay she has been to Scotland Yard to tell her uncle about the plot. • The ‘Mr Memory’ show begins and Hannay realises that the secret information is in Mr Memory’s memory. • Chief Inspector Albright arrives to arrest Hannay for murder. • Hannay escapes and asks Mr Memory what the Thirty-Nine Steps are. Mr Memory begins to reveal that the Thirty-Nine Steps is an organisation of spies. • The Professor shoots Mr Memory and threatens Pamela. • The Professor and Hannay wrestle for the gun. The Professor is shot and killed. 4 Scene 31: London Palladium. Backstage • The dying Mr Memory gives details of the new engine that he had memorised. 4 Scene 32: Outside Palladium. Night • Pamela tells Hannay he is a free man and they part. 4 Scene 33: Hannay’s Flat. Night • Pamela arrives in Hannay’s flat, declaring, ‘This is the man I want, Inspector.’ • They kiss before a Christmas tree as snow falls at the window. CHECK IT OUT For a full synopsis of the play, see pages 74–75 of AQA GCSE Drama . TIP You will not be asked just to describe the plot of the play. You must show an understanding of the play as a whole and how events affect characterisation and design. Task B1 Explain three ways in which you could show the differences between interior and exterior scenes. Consider changes in: • Lighting • Sound • Performance • Costumes • Set. Provide specific examples of each specialism. Act 2