Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – until 21st February 2026
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
5*****
Writer Patricia Highsmith’s character, Tom Ripley, is brought to life by Mark Leipacher in this adaptation of her acclaimed novel. The focus on character building in the first act draws you in and is amplified by the ensemble, as they move in unison, breathing the same breath. The tension reaches a crescendo right from the start of act 2, with the first murder, continuing to roll on and on throughout each scene to the end. This is a masterpiece in direction.
Ed McVey (Tom Ripley) captures the audience from the first moment, instantly conveying an uncomfortable weirdness, whilst being perfectly polite and amenable. Completely owning a dialogue full of Constant lying, weaving an intricate web, McVey (Ripley) does not drop a single line, miss a cue, change in accent or props. Doubling as narrator, only his murderous character can lace the dialogue with a smattering of humour.
Bruce Herbelin-Earle (Dickie Greenleaf) carries the suave, unconcerned demeanour of this entitled son of a wealthy man, with ease. Herbelin-Earle manages to bring out the ruffled feathers and piqued temper of Dickie, in a controlled manner that comes with the confidence of the wealthy. Maisie Smith (Marge Sherwood) portrays the heartache of a woman in love who knows that love will never be returned but hangs in there anyway. Smith (Sherwood) gives an honest performance that is perfectly balanced with her co-stars.
The flexibility of the ensemble is impressive, as they duck in and out of the different characters, purveying a menagerie of body language and accents. The ensemble working together as one body, to represent the tension and pressure experienced by Ripley (McVey) is profoundly effective, reflecting the catch line ‘have you ever felt you are being watched?’.
Choreographer, Haruka Kuroda, uses clever lighting and slow motion to deliver impactful fight and intimacy scenes. Always difficult to make it believable, the audience physically wince at times. The love making scene between Marge (Smith) and Dickie (Herbelin-Earle) is simply beautiful. The staging is inspired, white and unyielding in its starkness, combined with smoothly rolling scenery, sound effects and mood lighting, you know straight away what is being created.
The audience is captivated from start to finish! A great evening’s entertainment.