The Talented Mr. Ripley

Slick and wildly entertaining this looks like another STC hit, which is bound for the stages of the world.

First written in 1955 and made into a successful movie starring Matt Damon in 1999, the story is familiar but still disturbing.

Ripley is a con artist who is paid by rich shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf to convince his son Dickie to return home from a luxuriant lifestyle in Italy.

There he falls in love with the trappings of wealth and is turned on by incidental touches with Greenleaf and becomes orgasmic when he slips into his clothes.

The STC billboard gives part of the plot away describing Ripley as an irresistible killer. Indeed, Will McDonald fits the bill. Charming, swooning and frenetic he is the whole package.

Raj Labade as Dickie beautifully portrays his initial vague recognition of Ripley whilst marinating on a beach, then later delicately provides ambiguity that he might be interested in his hunter.

It was such a pleasure to see good old fashionedstagecraft bring this production to life without any video projection.

It reminded me of the excitement of first seeing Cloud Street all those years ago.

Elizabeth Gadsby’s set was primary a flat wall which had a door that opened in the middle. All manner of props were wheeled to signify which new scene in Europe the drama took us to – the most spectacular was a simple speed boat.

Damien Cooper’s lighting design had a cinematic quality to it. The sharp colours made you think you were on the Mediterranean and the visibility of the lighting fixtures resembled a film set. Costumes too from Emma White were charming.

Members of the ensemble played their part – Faisal Hamza very sharp as a worried friend Freddie, Andrew McFarlane sincere as Herbert Greenfield, John Nasser nailed the Italian accent of Inspector Rolverini, whilst Claude Scott-Mitchell solid as the only female in the cast Marge.

Joanna Murray-Smith is more than a bit of a Patricia Highsmith buff as another of her hit plays Switzerland is a psychological thriller where the author is a central character.

The Talented Mr Ripley is one act, lasting two hours but is tight as a drum and leaves you breathless.

David Spicer

Photographer: Prudence Upton