Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury – until Saturday 31st January 2026
Reviewed by Rachel Clark
4****
Do you ever feeling you are being watched?
I have never seen the film or read the book. I can now say the film will be watched in the next few days!
The set is dark and minimal, one thing you have to do is use your imagination to where you are and what is around you, BUT the surprising thing is before you know it you are transported away from New York to Italy, see can see the blue skies and see the sea and the bars etc, smell the atmosphere, from the very minimal set!
Let’s start at the beginning, this is a psychological thriller originally written by Patrica Highsmith and adapted and directed by Mark Leipacher.
Set in the 1950’s conman Tom Ripley struggling in New York, happens to meet Hebert Greenleaf a successful Business man. Herbert finding out that Tom knows his son – Richard Greenleaf – known as Dickie. Herbert offers to pay for Tom to go to Italy and persuade his son to come back to New York to join the family business and the fact that Dickie’s mother in unwell.
Tom Ripley arrives in Italy and soon stays with Dickie for the summer along with Dickies friend Marge. Marge starts to feel left out but gets on with writing her book. They also get a visit from a friend of Dickies – Freddie, whom Tom dislikes. Tom goes away just with Dickie, but then a murder takes place and possibly more to follow……….
From the moment the play starts Ed McVey who plays Tom Ripley is amazing, he speaks so fast you don’t hear him take a breath and is word perfect and in an American accent, he must zone out – truly incredible. Ed McVey came to our screens making his debut in Netflix – The Crown as Prince William, another one I haven’t seen but now feel I have to watch to see Ed McVey, it really was an outstanding performance and this was throughout the play, a full 60 mins the first half and 75 mins the second.
Alongside Ed McVey were Bruce Herbelin-Earle who played Dickie very well and Marge Sherwood played Maisie Smith. Maisie is well known for her part in Eastenders as Tiffany and she has come along way and played the part with the slight American accent very well. On this performance Freddie Miles was played by Lachlan McCall.