Ed McVey (known for The Crown on Netflix) and Maisie Smith (from EastEnders on BBC) are currently rehearsing for the highly anticipated UK tour of The Talented Mr. Ripley, set to premiere at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on September 4.
This production adapts Patricia Highsmith’s renowned 1955 novel, bringing its chilling narrative to life with a talented cast. Ed McVey stars as the infamous Tom Ripley, while Maisie Smith plays Marge Sherwood. They are joined by Bruce Herbelin-Earle, who portrays Dickie Greenleaf— the affluent and carefree individual whose life becomes intertwined with Ripley’s. The ensemble also features Christopher Bianchi, Cary Crankson, Leda, and Jason Eddy, complemented by Lachlan McCall, Hollie Sullivan, and Aldous Ciokajlo-Squire.
Directed by Mark Leipacher, the play follows Tom Ripley, a directionless man sent to Italy to persuade the privileged Dickie Greenleaf to return home. As Ripley becomes enamored with Dickie’s extravagant lifestyle, his obsession spirals into a dangerous web of deception, identity theft, and murder. The production aims to deliver a thrilling and psychologically intense experience set against the sun-soaked backdrop of 1950s Italy.
This tour marks the 70th anniversary of Highsmith’s novel, which has inspired several acclaimed adaptations, including the 2000 film featuring Matt Damon and the upcoming 2024 Netflix series starring Andrew Scott. Produced by The Faction, this stage adaptation seeks to offer a fresh and haunting take on the classic story.
Following its Cheltenham debut, the tour will make stops in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Woking, Oxford, Brighton, Bristol, Richmond, and Salford, with additional dates for 2026 to be announced. A national press night is set for September 23.
