Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - The Talented Mr Ripley is a mesmerising and intoxicating journey into a world of ambition, deception and deceit

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On Monday, we were invited to Lowry, Salford to see The Talented Mr Ripley. Read what our reviewer Andrea Horrocks had to say about this compelling play...

Patricia Highsmith’s iconic 1955 psychological thriller The Talented Mr Ripley has remained as compelling today as ever. Her unforgettable antihero, Tom Ripley and his chilling story continues to fascinate and mesmerise generations. Ripley was brought to life on screen by Matt Damon in the 1999 film and more recently by Andrew Scott in the Netflix series and now for the first time this dark, intriguing, disturbing tale takes to the stage. Being one of the many captivated by Tom Ripley and the dark intricacies of his mind, I couldn’t wait to see how his world of deception and adventure would unfold in this stage production by award winning adaptor and director, Mark Leipacher (Peter Brook Award, Off West End Award, Macbeth)

The Talented Mr Ripley is an extreme story of the desire to become someone else. Tom Ripley is a dreamer yearning for a better life and he seizes opportunities which he believes may lift him up. So, when a wealthy stranger offers him an all expenses paid trip to Italy to retrieve his wayward son, Dickie Greenleaf, Ripley accepts and his life is set on a dangerous new course and a world that will change him forever.

Upon arriving in Italy, Tom introduces himself to Dickie, eager to prove himself a worthy companion and desperate to slip into Dickie’s glamourous world. Though initially reluctant, Dickie soon welcomes Tom into his life, and Tom quickly becomes seduced by Dickie’s charm, freedom and effortless wealth which is so very different from his own reality. What begins as admiration and friendship gradually becomes obsession, propelling Tom into a dark, spiralling journey of lies, deception and identity itself.

On entering the theatre and taking in the set for the first time, its striking simplicity immediately stands out. The black backdrop and uncluttered raised platform at centre stage holds only a typewriter and a lamp. The power of this minimalism in Holly Piggot’s set should not be underestimated as the audience are invited to use their imagination. The hidden entrances and exits for both the actors and the props allow for clever transitions and offer intriguing, disorienting perspectives that draw you deeper into the story.

Zeynep Kepkli’s lighting paired with Max Pappenheim’s sound design cleverly highlights the set’s strengths, bright neon strip lighting and sound that envelops you around the room shifts the mood and transports us effortlessly to different locations, from bars and apartments to sun-drenched beaches and crucially the water scenes.

Tom Ripley played by Ed McVey (Netflix’s The Crown as Prince William) does not leave the stage for the entire production and his energy never faulters throughout. He establishes the tone of suspense and paranoia from the onset as he questions, “Do you ever feel like you’re being watched?”. The audience are immediately transported to Tom’s unsettling mind.

McVey’s outstanding fast-paced delivery and animated performance are mesmerising. Ripley is an incredibly complex character and McVey captures his many nuances with precision, the ease in which he changes personas is captivating and chilling to watch. Tom blurs the lines between his fabrications and reality, and McVey portrays this brilliantly.

Well-timed humour and the use of breaking the fourth wall work brilliantly to create a more intimate connection between the audience and Ripley. Tom confides in the audience about his deceit and his conflicted conscience, a struggle which is also emphasised by the fabulous ensemble. The clever choreography is integral to story but also guides Ripley through his shifting emotions and highlights his inner turmoil and his ambition.

The element I found a little confusing, however, was the sudden burst of bright white light accompanied by shouts of “Cut!” and “Action!” I wasn’t entirely sure how this moment fitted into the narrative and it for me it added an extra element which didn’t immediately seem clear or necessary. On reflection, I wonder if it was intended as a glimpse into Tom’s fast-paced, calculating mind, perhaps his way of running through possibilities and rehearsing scenarios before they unfold.

Bruce Herbelin-Earle (Netflix Series Free Rein, Amazon/MGM feature film The Boys in the Boat) makes a confident professional theatre debut playing Dickie Greenleaf. We first meet Dickie on a sun-drenched beach in Italy enjoying the moment close to his girlfriend Marge Sherwood played by Maisie Smith (Eastenders, The Other Boleyn Girl, Strictly Ballroom The Musical). Hereblin-Earle and Smith transport us to their glamourous world, sipping cocktails and talking of travel around Europe.

Dickie Greenleaf is charming, impulsive and it seems he gets everything he wants, Herbelin-Earle embodies the character with ease making the character convincing portraying the shifting relationship with Tom believably creating a compelling stage dynamic. His genuine connection with Marge is strengthened by Smith’s performance as she portrays Marge as a sweet, endearing, independent woman who appears to be loving life until her world falls apart. Smith’s gentle performance also conveys Marge’s inner strength and keen sense of judgement.

Despite the fast pace of the dialogue the storyline can sometimes lack momentum, however with the help of the ensemble who not only excel with the clever choreography but as actors who convincingly play multiple roles and continually appear from different parts of the stage they add vital elements that enrich and propel the story forward. Leda (Julius Caesar, Pride and Prejudice) is particularly convincing in her many roles, delivering the characters with strength and transitioning effortlessly.

The relevance in today’s digital world is particularly striking. We are asked whether we ever feel like we’re “being watched” and in an age dominated by social media this is a very real sensation. Many people feel constantly watched or followed and many also feel the need to become someone else online.

The Talented Mr Ripley is a mesmerising and intoxicating journey into a world of ambition, deception and deceit. First time viewers and those already familiar with the book or screen adaptations will find themselves drawn into the captivating world of Tom Ripley. With sharp performances and clever staging, this production will offer you a fresh and compelling take on Patricial Highsmith’s classic thriller.

WE SCORE THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY...