REVIEW: The Talented Mr Ripley
By Gary Murray, volunteer theatre reviewer
You may know The Talented Mr Ripley from the 1999 film starring Matt Damon or the Netflix series Ripley. Or you may be a fan of the original novel written in the 1950s by Patricia Highsmith.
The play arrived at the Devonshire Park Theatre last night as part of a nationwide tour.
In 1950s America, Tom Ripley, a low-level hustler, in clothes which “didn’t look good when they were new” is asked by a Mr Greenleaf to travel to Italy to bring home his trust-funded son Dickie to take up work with the family business.
Tom grabs at the opportunity of an all expenses-paid trip to Italy.
He inveigles himself into the lives of Dickie (Bruce Herbelin-Earle) and girlfriend Marge (Maisie Smith), quickly becoming enamoured with the pair’s lifestyle: lazy days on the beach, meals out, meeting friends.
Dickie is self-assured in a way that Tom can never be. It’s easy to see why Dickie has no intention of returning home to “starched collars and holidays in May.”
But wealth is almost wasted on Dickie. Italy’s greatest art is viewed as something to tick off but Tom responds emotionally. Tom to Dickie: “You don’t say anything!”
And there are the two faces of Tom Ripley: a cultured art-lover, but a cold-hearted con artist and killer.
It’s not giving any surprises away to say that he takes his envy to the ultimate conclusion and ‘becomes’ Dickie Greenleaf after murdering him.
The staging here is minimal. Everything takes place on a long platform – think giant kitchen island. This is great for scenes set in a bar or club. Less so for 1950s Italy.
But lighting, costume and music are used to good effect throughout.
The real standout is the performance of Ed McVey as Tom Ripley. He is a man never at rest, a ball of nervous energy. He is still only when impersonating Dickie, and then not for long.
"It’s worth seeing for Ed McVey’s performance as Tom Ripley"
Suspicions are crowding in on him. Maintaining the deception comes at a heavy price. At one stage we wonder whether Tom as Dickie might be arrested for the murder of Tom by Dickie!
McVey's performance is a real tour de force. The complexities and contradictions of Tom Ripley are brought out wonderfully.
Such is the richness of the performance, that you suddenly realise that you are rooting for a killer. You want him to get away with murder.
The second half is way too long. There are two or three scenes which are really unnecessary. We’ve got it by then. There’s also a tedious meta device whereby members of the cast occasionally shout “cut” as in a film and the action is quickly restaged. Thankfully this is not used too much – but it is not needed.
I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did. The staging has its limitations but time and place are effectively delivered. And it’s worth seeing for Ed McVey’s performance as Tom Ripley. It’s quite something.
:: The Talented Mr Ripley runs at the Devonshire Park Theatre until Saturday, 4 April. Tickets here
:: Gary Murray was a professional actor for 14 years in theatre, radio, TV and even a couple of operas. After many years on the tech side of the ticketing industry, he now works at Tech Resort and is a volunteer reviewer for Eastbourne Reporter
