Four actors took on 26 different characters at the Charleston Community Theatre Thursday night, putting on their fourth showing of the play “The 39 Steps.”

The play follows Richard Hannay, who is falsely accused of murdering a woman who says she is a spy. Then, a secret organization called “The 39 Steps” is after him. Hannay finds himself in the Scottish Highlands, using tricky escapes as the chase draws on.

Gail Mason, the show director, saw the play with her husband in London. From there, she knew she had to direct it or be in it.

To help this run smoothly, she already had three actors in mind. Her husband Tim Mason, Blake Richardson who played Richard Hannay, and actress Lena Stapleton. From there, Doug Kanouse got the fourth role.

“I can’t tell you how joyous this whole production has been. I have enjoyed every single rehearsal, even when I’m tired and could be doing other things. This cast just has so much energy and creativity. I feel very fortunate to have them, to have had the opportunity to work with them,” Gail Mason said.

The Charleston Community Theatre performed an adaptation of the show by Patrick Barlow, which itself was based on a concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, according to the flyer for the show.

The production took a few months of careful line memorization, coordination amongst actors — particularly when swapping roles by the minute — and bringing in over 50 different sound effects.

“The important thing with this particular show is to have the lines memorized, because there’s so much activity. So, we worked. We did three rehearsals a week for probably five weeks. Most shows have a tech week, and we pretty much did a tech two weeks,” Gail Mason said.

Tim Mason did more than just act, he also helped with the mechanics of the play.

“It’s another part of community theater. You get a little bit of everything. You get the acting, I’ve done lights, I’ve helped build sets. A lot of the costumes often come out of our own closets, but we get what works,” he said.

Tim Mason didn’t start acting until he was 47, and his start is partially thanks to his position as an economics professor at EIU. He and two of his co-workers did a play together called “Art.”

Gallery • 8 Photos

Jack Johnson

In his final moments after being shot, Mr. Memory played by Tim Mason (Bottom), while being held by the Compere played by Doug Kanouse (Right), is asked by Richard Hannay who is played by Blake Richardson (Top) to remember what goes into making the 39 steps as Pamela Edwards played by Lena Stapleton (Left) watches at the showing of “The 39 Steps” directed by Gail Mason, on Friday, Feb. 27 at the Charleston Community Theater.

The show earned many laughs from the audience. The props, costumes and sounds helped add comedic effect. Yet, with so many aspects to the play, not everything always goes according to plan, said Tim Mason.

“Comedies come easily to me and are very enjoyable. I think, oh, I think I’m hilarious,” Tim Mason said. “It’s very helpful to have [actors and crew] who can think on their feet when things go wrong, because things always go wrong. Audiences are also very forgiving, at least for us in community theater. They want us to succeed. They want to have fun,” Tim Mason said.

The last showing of “The 39 Steps” was on Saturday.

“I wish [The 39 Steps] would be for a longer while. I think it’s good for all our mental health. Seriously, while I’m watching it every night, I just sit back there and smile. I think a good laugh is what everyone needs, especially nowadays,” Gail Mason said.

Adia Strunk can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].