The Talented Mr Ripley -Astounding

It was a classic crime thriller. Then it became an iconic 1990s movie. Now Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley has been adapted by Mark Leipacher into an unmissable theatre experience, one with an astounding titular performance from Ed McVey.

Tom Ripley is a nearly man, a nobody you would pass without a second glance on the street. His life is going nowhere until he is tracked to a New York bar by Herbert Greenleaf (Christopher Bianci). Herbert wants Tom to help him persuade his son Dickie to return from Italy to America. He mistakenly feels that Tom could help in this, when, in truth, Tom barely knows Dickie. Unable to pass up this golden opportunity, he travels to Italy, meeting Dickie,and his beautiful girlfriend Marge, and somehow befriending them. But after becoming Dickie’s closest friend, Tom is alarmed when Dickie starts to withdraw from the friendship, with Marge being a key factor in this. Ripley is in love with Dickie, but this love turns to murderous rage during a ‘boys only’ boat trip. What happens next is a masterclass in crime writing which will leave you wondering whether you should hate Ripley, or actually be routing for him.

The central performance from Ed McVey is an absolute tour de force. The man is never off the stage, from the opening scene to the not so bitter end, and he is incredible, particularly as he switches between mousy, needy Tom Ripley, and his impersonation of glamorous, self assured Dickie.

Bruce Herbelin-Earle is wonderful as the vain, glamourous Dickie. He is perfect foil for Ed’s twitchy Ripley, you genuinely believe life comes so easy for Dickie. Maisie Smith is also very good as Marge, almost playing the adult in the room around two overgrown, needy infants. Maisie quietly under plays Marge, which makes her worried yet questioning performance even more effective.

With much of the action spread over two continents, the use of a very clever, minimalist set design by Holly Pigott, and the use of lighting (Zeynep Kepekli) help keep the action clearly defined and moving smoothly. The direction is flawless, from Tom’s hidden thoughts which are said out loud as asides, to the utter shocking violence of the killings, and a shocking scene where Marge discovers Dickie’s rings.

Shocking and clever, yet utterly chilling, The Talented Mr Ripley is brilliant theatre.

The Talented Mr Ripley

Birmingham Rep until 27th September

Click here for ticket information

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