Theatre / Reviews
Review: The Talented Mr Ripley, Bristol Old Vic – ‘McVey is magnetic in the title role’
As a crime writer myself, I cannot help but be impressed by the work of Patricia Highsmith, the doyenne of psychological thriller writers.
Of her five novels featuring the anti-hero Ripley, she believed in demonstrating “the unequivocal triumph of evil over good and rejoicing in it. I shall make my readers rejoice in it too”. The recent Netflix series starring Andrew Scott and the earlier, glossier, 1999 movie directed by Anthony Minghella have made the work and character well known.
So, the question this play has to answer is, ‘does it add anything?’ The producers must think so, since this Bristol outing is one of many on its way to the West End sometime in 2026.
Ed McVey as Tom Ripley
Unlike other iterations, this production has chosen to concentrate not on the locations, but on the characterisation, frequently deploying a mechanism whereby Ripley directly addresses the audience. Ed McVey does an excellent job at portraying the chancer on the make, all reticence and twitching, awkward hand motions, but he is especially impressive when becoming more ruthless in his pursuit of recognition and money.
The cold fish changes in an instant in a chilling moment when he dons the unfortunate Dickie Greenleaf’s clothes for the first time, mimicking his speech and mannerisms. It is inevitable that cold-blooded murder will follow.
Bruce Herbelin-Earle as Dickie Greenleaf
Director Mark Leipacher quite rightly places Ripley at the centre of the action. He is on stage for virtually every moment in over two hours in this stripped-back production. The glamorous settings – of the Italian riviera, New York, Rome and Venice – are left for the audience to conjure up in their imagination in much the same way as in Highsmith’s original. The action mainly takes place on a raised platform, with a recess from which characters appear, or in Dickie’s case, sink beneath the waves.
Bruce Herbelin-Earle, the languidly self-assured Dickie Greenleaf is perfectly cut out be a victim. He is likeable but we do not miss him when he is despatched. Maisie Smith’s too-trusting Marge suggests that things won’t all go swimmingly, not least for her.
Maisie-Smith as Marge Sherwood
Ripley’s innermost thoughts are delivered by way of alternative scenarios being played out with frequent interjections by one of the cast shouting ‘cut’ as though his motivation and emotional range need to be fine-tuned by a director, and although this might have allowed an insight into the monster’s imagination, it feels overcooked.
The rest of the cast are led by Christopher Bianchi as Mr Greenleaf Snr and Inspector Roverini, Gary Crankston as Freddie, and Leda as several female characters – all of whom help the story along, but the large supporting ensemble either don’t have enough meaningful things to do or are used too intrusively.
Ed McVey, centre, as Tom Ripley and the cast
The old adage applies, that just because you can do something, you needn’t do it all the time. It was also regrettable given the show has been on the road for a while that there were some slips in dialogue and a premature sound cue.
This play has great strengths, particularly McVey’s magnetic performance, but it cries out for more judicious editing and a lighter touch.
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The Talented Mr Ripley (age recommendation 12+) is at Bristol Old Vic on November 3-8 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
Find out more about the show at www.thetalentedmrripleyplay.com or follow @ripleyonstage.
All photos: Mark Senior
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