Visit from an Unknown Woman has been adapted for stage by Christopher Hampton from the short story by Stefan Zweig. Directed for the Hampstead Theatre main stage by Chelsea Walker is running until July 27th, 2024.

Natalie Simpson offers at first an intriguing role as the beautiful and mysterious Unknown Woman. Escaping the company of her male partner at a restaurant she appears to have been seduced by another and finds herself in his flat.

James Corrigan stepped into the role of Stefan with a week to learn the part, after a cancelled press night left the play requiring a new leading male. He delivers a strong performance as the writer Stefan, whose life appears to be touched by fortune and fame. However,  underneath he has a tribe of haters and a female whose unhealthy obsession with him until now has gone unnoticed by him.

The suggestion that the couple have simply had an innocent one-night stand unravels throughout the play. For anyone familiar with the original novella there are no surprises. However,  for those who aren’t, I will not be divulging any spoilers about the fate of Stefan and the Unknown Woman.

The storyline offers a “creepy” and at times uncomfortable insight into just how calculated and scheming human beings can be to live out the surreal and toxic fantasy taking place inside their imagination. A stark warning of the importance of paying attention to what is going on around you.

With piles of dying white roses on the right-hand side of the stage, you wonder what they have to do with the pristine minimalistic decor in the flat belonging to Stefan. The symbolism of the flowers is revealed to the audience as the story unfolds.

For more information about Visit from an Unknown Woman and future productions at Hampstead Theatre please use the link below.

Three Stars.

Photo credit Marc Brenner.

https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2024/visit-from-an-unknown-woman/

CAST

STEFAN
JAMES CORRIGAN

YOUNG MARIANNE
JESSIE GATTWARD

JOHANN
NIGEL HASTINGS

MARIANNE
NATALIE SIMPSON

ARTISTIC TEAM
WRITER
CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON

SHORT STORY
STEFAN ZWEIG

DIRECTOR
CHELSEA WALKER

DESIGNER
ROSANNA VIZE

ASSISTANT DESIGNER
EMELINE BEROUD

PRODUCTION MANAGER
PAM NICHOL

LIGHTING DESIGNER
BETHANY GUPWELL

SOUND DESIGNER
PETER RICE

COMPOSER
MAX PERRYMENT

MOVEMENT DIRECTOR
MICHELA MEAZZA

INTIMACY DIRECTOR
LUCY FENNELL

CASTING DIRECTOR
ARTHUR CARRINGTON

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
ALEX KAMPFNER

DEPUTY PRODUCTION MANAGER
JOSH COLLINS

COMPANY STAGE MANAGER
JERRY GUNN

DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER
RAY YOUNG

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
ROMA RADFORD