The Talented Mr Ripley

Birmingham Rep

The very talented Mr Mcvey   ***

A dramatic exploration of the manipulations of a charming psychopath 

Mark Leipacher’s dramatisation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel has come to Birmingham Rep this week as part of a nationwide tour. 

Ripley is a master manipulator and impersonator who we meet initially in New York, where he is operating as a fraudster and con artist. He seizes the opportunity to travel to Italy at the behest and expense of Herbert Greenleaf to try and entice Greenleaf ‘s son Dickie, a rich playboy, to return home.

Ripley becomes obsessed with Dickie on meeting up with him in Italy and is extremely attracted to his persona, looks and lifestyle. His obsession leads to a path of destruction and murder in the glamorous setting of Europe. Ripley murders Dickie and then begins to impersonate him and adopt his life and persona with even more dark consequences.  Ripley is ultimately revealed as a dangerous Psychopath who even manages to outwit the law and escape punishment for his murderous manipulations.

Ed Mcvey as Tom Ripley gives a compelling and highly energetic performance and keeps us engaged throughout the production with both physical and vocal dexterity. Dickie is statuesque and suitably charming and the two work well together especially in the more choreographed scenes.

 Marge (Maisie Smith) Dickie’s lover is an engaging  and warm character who draws us in well.  Smith is both believable and likeable in this role despite some slightly underdeveloped scripting of her scenes. It’s a credit to her performance that we were left wanting more. 

The ensemble provides setting and individual characterisations with Leda excelling in her various cameo roles with some wonderful physicality and charisma. 

The set is centred around a raised large rostrum with an open trap door in the centre which is used well to enhance a variety of scenes, serving as a boat and a taxi for example as well as providing some very clever entrances and exits. The sun-drenched beauty of Europe felt lacking and seemed almost deliberately stark in contrast to what one would expect with other cinematic influences of the production. 

There were some filmic motifs and devices that were introduced but not really sustained or developed such as pausing and replaying the action. This worked well on occasions and was well delivered but felt rather confused due to lack of development.

The play culminates in a Grecian setting where suddenly a large painting becomes the backdrop, introducing some of the beauty and colour we might have previously craved.

Opening night received a warm response from our audience and we were engaged throughout largely due to Mcvey’s talent and energetic mastery. The ensemble of figures are well choreographed and led to some striking tableau giving depth to the starkness of the set.

All in all, the well-loved tale was brought to life well by the actors and ensemble but lacked some coherence at times in the direction and script. A brave and at times compelling piece of theatre. 

Judy Moore