Single White Female tour performs in Woking’s New Victoria Theatre from 3rd to 7th March. It arrives on stage with a contemporary twist, reimagining the 1992 psychological thriller for a modern audience steeped in social media, start‑up culture, and the pressures of single parenthood. At its centre is Allie, played by Lisa Faulkner, a newly divorced mother attempting to rebuild her life in a run down apartment while juggling a fledgling tech business and the demands of her teenage daughter, Bella.

When Allie’s ex‑husband abruptly halves his maintenance payments, financial strain forces her to take in a lodger. At first, Hedy, played by Kym Marsh, appears the ideal tenant—polite, helpful, eager to fit in. But as she embeds herself deeper into Allie’s home and personal life, the atmosphere shifts, and the cracks start to show as Hedy gets closer, almost obsessed with Bella.

The production unfolds on a single, cleverly designed set that delineates the apartment’s kitchen and living areas while allowing for swift transitions through a series of unseen rooms. It’s a simple but effective staging choice that keeps the focus firmly on the characters’ psychological unravelling.

Unlike many thrillers, the play resists leaning heavily on a suspenseful score; instead, it uses sparse soundbites and brief musical clips to punctuate scene changes. A well‑timed nod to Radiohead’s Creep was personally appreciated!

While the play never quite reaches the level of fear its genre suggests—it succeeds as a character‑driven exploration of loneliness, identity, and blurred boundaries. The audience reactions, however, ranged wildly – from gasps to chuckles during its brief moment of graphic violence. Some audience members found humour in the sometimes predictable dark moments, whilst others seemed genuinely shocked.

Fans of the original film will find interest in how its themes have been updated for a digital age, even if the stage version opts for tension over terror.
Three Stars.

Reviewed by Alexa Gardner.

Photo credit Chris Bishop.

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/single-white-female/new-victoria-theatre/