A STAGE version of a quick-witted, devilishly fun-filled thriller, based on the Hitchcock classic film The Lady Vanishes is currently running at Torquay’s Princess Theatre, writes Rose Howes.

This touring production by the acclaimed Classic Thriller Theatre Company features an array of stars from television and stage and offers a tale that twists and turns featuring love, lies and cricket from time past when all English gentlemen were well-spoken and ladies expected doors to be opened for them.

When socialite Iris’ travelling companion disappears, she’s bewildered to find fellow passengers deny ever having seen her. But with the help of musician Max, she turns detective, and together they resolve to solve this perplexing mystery.

The cast is led by BAFTA-nominated actress Gwen Taylor who plays the central character Miss Froy the English governess. There are two stunning performances from Scarlett Archer and Nicholas Audsley as Iris and Max, the two budding sleuths who find out that when you’re deep in Hitchcock territory, nothing is as simple as it seems.

The production is directed by Roy Marsden, who is probably best known as an actor, particularly in his role as Commander Adam Dalgliesh in ITV’s P.D. James series, which he played for 15 years.

The production runs at the Princess Theatre until Saturday.