The Talented Mr Ripley on stage!
I had been looking forward to this ever since it was announced that it was going on tour.
Based on Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller, The Talented Mr Ripley follows Tom Ripley, a young man who becomes entangled in a web of lies, obsession, and murder when he’s sent to Italy to bring home wealthy playboy Dickie Greenleaf. What unfolds is a gripping story of deception and ambition with darkly fascinating consequences.
The cast is fantastic:
Tom Ripley – Ed McVey, best known for his role as the young Prince William in Netflix’s The Crown, gives a truly chilling performance.
Dickie Greenleaf – Bruce Herbelin-Earle, known for playing Marcus Greenbridge in Netflix’s Free Rein, brings charm and confidence to the role, making Dickie both likeable and frustrating in equal measure.
Marge Sherwood – Maisie Smith, famous for playing Tiffany Butcher in BBC’s EastEnders and for appearing as Beth in the musical version of The War of the Worlds, shines as Marge. She brings warmth, wit, and emotional depth to the production.
One of the things that stood out most for me was the clever use of the set. At first glance, it looked very simple – a raised square platform with a cut-out centre – but it was transformed throughout the show into a bar, a car, a pier, and an apartment. Ensemble members climbed over it, crawled beneath it, and emerged from the central opening, creating a real sense of movement and energy from what was essentially one large static piece. It worked brilliantly, and the way props and accessories were brought on and off kept the show moving at a great pace.
The platform also doubled as a pool, used to brilliant effect during the infamous boat scene – which closed Act One and picked up again at the start of Act Two, with a few clever differences.
When Tom Ripley’s mind begins to take over, the production does something very creative. The stage suddenly turns into a film set, with “cut!” and “action!” being called as Ripley decides what to do next. It’s a clever device that shows us his inner thoughts and the unsettling way his mind works – something that’s much easier to show in film, but here it’s handled beautifully on stage.
At times, the show did feel like it was dragging – some of the longer dialogue scenes slowed the pace slightly, and I can imagine some audience members might find themselves drifting. But just as you start to feel that, something unexpected happens that pulls you straight back in.
For me, I’ve always loved The Talented Mr Ripley film for its stunning Italian locations and 1950s fashion. Naturally, there’s only so much that can be recreated on stage, and some of that visual richness is missing – but that’s to be expected. When the production makes it to the West End, I’d love to see the design expanded even further to capture that world.
That said, I really enjoyed it. Ed McVey’s portrayal of Ripley is outstanding – cold, calculating, and quietly terrifying. His ability to shift from charm to menace keeps you completely on edge throughout.
A stylish, tense, and beautifully acted adaptation that captures the chilling psychology of Ripley’s world – with some genuinely clever staging that sets it apart.
The Talented Mr Ripley runs at the Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday 1st November 2025, with performances at 7:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and matinees at 2:30pm on Thursday and Saturday. Click HERE to book.