The Talented Mr. Ripley

Waterside Aylesbury and on national tour

****   a place for talent and style

Based on the 1955 book by Patricia Highsmith, as well as the ensuing film and Netflix series, this stage adaptation by Mark Leipacher is on the second leg of its 2025/26 national tour – marking the 70^th anniversary of the original publication.

The Aylesbury audience on Monday night was small but select – and remained riveted as the psychological thriller unfolded.

The set was minimalist – just a platform with a few props which were set by the appropriately dressed cast, always quietly and unobtrusively, so the tension never lessened.  A cleverly designed exit route enabled the actors to enter and leave the action silently and invisibly when appropriate.  Lighting bars on the sides and rear of the stage changed colour denoting time, place, and mood to great effect, although my only valid criticism is that they were blinding at times which this reviewer, for one, found disconcerting and distracting.

My other critical point is that the cast’s mikes needed adjusting at the beginning as the dialogue was hard to hear when the actors were facing away from the audience, but it was the first night and the problem was apparently solved as the sound levels did improve.

I don’t know about the ‘Talented Mr Ripley’ – I want to add ‘The Talented Mr McVey’!  Ed McVey - who took the title role was amazing – without wanting to go as far as a ‘spoiler’ in this review, I just want to mention that by simply removing his glasses the actor completely transformed his personality, speech pattern and even seemed to grow inches taller. 

The entire cast, several of whom played many minor roles, managed their American accents faultlessly and presented very believable characters to the audience.

This is a superb, cleverly staged interpretation of a drama which has stood the test of time well

Judith Watsham