The Talented Mr Ripley

Hobart Repertory Theatre Society achieved an excellent resultof The Talented Mr Ripley, Phyllis Nagy’s adaptation of acclaimed novel by Patricia Highsmith, showing the story of a nasty but believable character in this complex psycho-drama.

Tom Ripley is a charming and desperately lonely sociopath who is sent to Italy by wealthy businessman Herbert Greanleaf, hoping that his wayward son will return from the Bohemian life and take up family business and responsibilities. Marcus Johnson shone in the difficult role of Tom Ripley. In the beginning we could see he was a self-serving, lying conman, but it was when Tom Ripley moved away from morality and into the cruel and amoral side of his nature, and his grip on reality began to disintegrate, that we saw Johnson’s talents. His deserved and believable unravelling at the end was difficult for a young fresh-faced actor to portray, but was achieved well by Johnson under the direction of Danni Ashton. Accents, American and Italian, were well done and strictly maintained throughout. Steven Jones was Herbert Greanleaf and Roverini the policeman equally convincingly.

Harley Mason handled the three characters Reddington/Faustio/Silvio well, even providing some comic relief as the campy Faustio. Other multi roles from Jon Lenthall as Marc Priminger and Freddie Miles, and Carole Williams as Dottie/Emily Greenleaf were all in character and convincing.

Sasha Roubicek was sympathetic and pleasing on the eye as Marge Sherwood and capably played other filler roles. Alexander McKenzie was convincing as the likeable but spoiled Richard Greenleaf, who didn’t deserve his unpleasant end. A simple, effective and constantly moving set and moody lighting were complemented by evocative music and sound although levels were too muted too fully support the sinister tone of the play. Also, in such a complicated and wordy play, with accents as a character differentiation, good projection and diction is essential to keep the plot accessible to the audience. Some of us had trouble hearing! This riveting and chilling play is good enough to see again.  

Merlene Abbott 

Photos courtesy of John King Smith and Wayne Wagg.