Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, The Talented Mr Ripley is one the authors well known and probably one of her best characters. The play has now been touring the UK for some time now and has arrived at Salisbury Playhouse featuring a great cast of actors.
The staging is simple but effective as it comprises of a raised stage with in indented square in the centre. Lights on the back represent the colours of the country they are in during each scene to allow the audience to be aware of their destination.
It starts in New York, where Mr Ripley played by Ed McVey, whose career is going nowhere. A chance encounter with Herbert Greenleaf (Christopher Bianchi) who is trying to make contact with his son Dickie who now lives in Italy with his partner.
Mr Ripley briefly met Dickie in New York and following a discussion with Herbert, he takes up the offer to travel to Italy to find him and will recieve $600 in traveller’s cheques to cover his expenses.
Herbert arrives in Italy and starts to look for Dickie Greenleaf (Bruce Herbelin-Earle). Who he finds at his appartment. He is there with his girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Maisie Smith). Dickie has absolutely no recollection of ever meeting Tom Ripley and Tom tries to remind him of their brief encounter.
The lifestyle Dickie has built up with money and glamour is something that Tom aspires to create and eventually works his way into being Dickie’s friend.
However, Tom becomes obsessed with Dickie and they end up going away together leaving his girlfriend behind. The trip the pair take out on a boat ends in tragedy when Tom murders Dickie. Leading to a vast web of lies, deception and Tom assuming Dickie’s identity!
The Talented Mr Ripley offers great performances from a strong cast, bringing the popular Highsmith novel to the stage. For more information about the play and future productions at Salisbury Playhouse, please use the link below.
Four Stars.
Reviewed by Simon Bell.
Photo credit Mark Senior.
https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/the-talented-mr-ripley
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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