REVIEW: The Talented Mr Ripley at the Everyman Theatre

Cheltenham

 The Talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith’s enduring 1955 novel, reaches 70 years old this year. The story has stayed extremely relevant despite the 1950s time period, as we never tire of a juicy crime novel. This is the first UK tour of a new adaptation, directed by Mark Leipacher, promising to bring danger and desire to the wonderful Everyman Theatre. 

 

 

Ripley is recruited by a wealthy businessman to bring his son, Dickie, home from Europe, but Ripley is quickly seduced by Dickie’s life in the sun and abandons his mission, ingratiating himself into Dickie’s life. Ripley is a nobody, but as he falls deeper in love with Dickie’s life, their situation starts to take a more sinister turn.

Ed McVey, who played Prince William in The Crown, joins the ranks of superstars that have portrayed Tom Ripley on screen and stage, including Matt Damon in the 1999 film opposite Jude Law, and Andrew Scott in the recent 2024 Netflix drama alongside Dakota Fanning. While Scott played Ripley with a staring intensity, McVey is full of energy, striding about the stage with nerves, elated at and terrified of the new life he’s somehow stumbled into.

 

 

Strictly Come Dancing’s Maisie Smith is fantastic as Marge, who starts off as a writer and homemaker but falls into the role of detective as Ripley’s lies start to unravel. For a small cast, the ensemble does a great job of portraying the hustle and bustle of Rome, a number of side characters such as a singer and a housekeeper, and gatherings of reporters, rushing to find Ripley and get the latest scoop.

The production has very clever staging, with a central raised platform painted white and black like a boat, as many scenes take place near the water, although the lights used in some scenes were very bright. The staging immerses you into 1950s Italy and Greece, with lovely costume design and some excellently inventive scene transitions.

 

 

Please note that this performance has very bright lights and sudden loud sounds.

We would absolutely recommend this production of Mr Ripley, whether you’re a fan of crime novels or would like to see the talented – pun intended – Ed McVey step out of his Crown role and become a very different character indeed. The Talented Mr Ripley is only showing until Saturday 13 September, so grab your suitcases and head over to the Everyman Theatre for one last summer holiday!

Review by Leah

 

For More Information & Tickets Click HERE

 

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