BUCKS actress Tessa Churchard really is three times a lady for her latest West End outing, which sees the talented actress playing a host of female characters in The 39 Steps.

Tessa, who grew up in Great Missenden and was a childhood friend of Roald Dahl’s daughters, last month joined the cast of the award-winning show adapted by Patrick Barlow now running at the Criterion Theatre in London.

Based on the original story by John Buchan and the 1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock, The 39 Steps is a spoof thriller revolving around Richard Hannay (played by Jo Stone-Fewings), who is caught up in an intriguing plot of betrayal, espionage and murder. Alongside co-stars Alan Perrin and Nigel Betts, the four-strong cast has the unenviable task of whipping between more than 139 characters in the fast-paced plot.

For Tessa, that means quickly changing her accent and donning a new wig and costume for her various guises as femme fatale Annabella, innocent farmer’s wife Margaret, and the prim and proper Englishwoman Pamela.

The 43-year-old actress, who now lives in Surrey with husband Matthew Edwards and their nine-month-old son Ben, says her latest role is “a real challenge, but very enjoyable”.

Tessa, who also once ran the antiques shop Tinkers in Great Missenden, adds: “I’m very excited to be part of this show and the cast members are terrific. It’s a twinkling show, in that you get to share all these in-jokes with the audience.

“I love that it gives people a real laugh and, because it’s so visual, our younger audiences really seem to enjoy it as well.”

Tessa, who has a string of theatre credits to her name, including Noises Off in the West End, as well as television appearances in Casualty, Doctors and The Bill, tells me her love for acting first developed while a youngster at Great Missenden Church of England Primary School.

“I didn’t ever think I would be a professional actress because I was so painfully shy,” recalls Tessa, who studied at The Webber Douglas Academy for Dramatic Art. “But I had a fantastic teacher, who encouraged us to do drama. I think one of my first roles was playing the wicked stepmother in Snow White, and from then on I was absolutely hooked.”

Around the time that Tessa’s acting ambitions began to blossom, she also spent many a free afternoon playing with the daughters of her famous neighbours, children’s author Roald Dahl and his American actress wife Patricia Neal.

Tessa tells me: “We lived on a modern estate where some of the houses literally backed on to their garden. They had this swimming pool, which Roald built after Patricia fell ill, and he would often come knocking on all the doors in the street and ask if we wanted to go for a swim.

“I also used to play with Ophelia, as well as Lucy, because I was mad about ponies and she actually had one! So I always used to help out with the grooming and brushing. Sometimes Roald would come out of his writing hut and tell us off for being too noisy, but he really was a very sweet man, very enigmatic, and incredibly tall.”

Now looking ahead to her next performance, one of eight every week until July, Tessa adds that she can’t wait to play three different women again in one night.

“I even go blonde for a few scenes, which is fantastic,” jokes the natural brunette. “It’s hard work, but well worth it and a real joy for the audience to watch as well.”

The 39 Steps is at The Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus, London. Tickets and performance times: 0844 8471778.
For a VIP Christmas package, open to groups of six or more from £29.50 per person, quote Festive Cheer Offer and telephone 020 7907 7000. Valid until January 16, 2009, Monday to Friday performances only. Subject to availability and booking fee.