The Talented Mr Ripley at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh****

Those of us who saw the 2024 version of Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller on Netflix will no doubt remember the beautiful Italian locations. So you’ll be disappointed to know that there isn’t even a Mediterranean-type backdrop in this adaptation by director Mark Leipacher. Instead, banks of neon lights change to illustrate each scene, some of them glaringly so, while an ensemble of actors in raincoats and trilby hats move about the stage in stylised dances.

But none of this detracts from the excellence of the leading performances. Ed McVey, in particular, is on stage constantly, playing an animated conman, desperate to make friends with a wealthy heir whose father is paying him to bring him back to New York. McVey, who played Prince William in The Crown, is captivating as he negotiates the twists and turns of the story – to give more away would spoil it for those who don’t know what happens, but his is a real tour de force.

Bruce Herbelin-Earle, as the wealthy heir, Dickie Greenleaf, is a complete contrast to McVey’s nervy, nerdy character, cool and almost larconic, while I was delighted to see Maisie Smith cutting her theatrical teeth as Dickie’s friend Marge after almost her whole life so far as Tiffany in EastEnders.

Also well worth a mention is Christopher Bianchi, who plays both Dickie’s father and an Italian policeman with authority and panache.

I may not have always worked out the staging but the acting alone will hold you spellbound for the whole 2 hrs 20 mins.

Image: Mark Senior

The Talented Mr Ripley is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until Sept 20.

capitaltheatres.com

The tour continues:

Sept 22-27: Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Oct 6-11: New Victoria Theatre Woking

Oct 13-18: Oxford Playhouse

Oct 27-Nov 1: Theatre Royal Brighton

Nov 3-8: Bristol Old Vic

Nov 10-15: Richmond Theatre

Nov 18-22: The Lowry Salford