The Talented Mr. Ripley – Festival Theatre Edinburgh

September 18, 20254 min read

Award-winning theatre company The Faction presents a daring reinterpretation of Patricia Highsmith’s classic novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley. “Ever feel like you’re being watched?”

For those who may not be familiar with the story, The Talented Mr. Ripley revolves around Tom Ripley (Ed McVey), a young New Yorker ensnared in a web of unscrupulous dealings as he struggles to make a living. His fortunes take a turn when wealthy shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf (Christopher Bianchi), mistakenly believing Ripley to be a close friend of his son Dickie (Bruce Herbelin-Earle), hires him to bring Dickie back to New York from his luxurious life in Italy. To sweeten the deal, Ripley receives a $600 travel advance, along with potential future payments.

Right from the start, it’s clear that Ripley is a master manipulator. He concocts lies about his past at Princeton and deceives Herbert into thinking he’s closer to Dickie than reality suggests. Soon, Ripley travels to the (fictional) Mongibello, where he swiftly locates Dickie, who invites him to stay at his lavish summer home with his girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Maisie Smith).

As the trio indulges in cocktails and sun-soaked days, Ripley becomes increasingly captivated by Dickie’s wealth and lifestyle, leading him to fantasize about what it would be like to fully become Dickie. However, Ripley’s feelings of envy grow, especially towards Marge, who believes Dickie will eventually marry her, despite his declarations to the contrary.

As Ripley’s obsession intensifies, he finds himself edging toward a dark conclusion—the ultimate act of greed that will allow him to assume Dickie’s identity. From this point, the suspense escalates as Ripley must outsmart everyone, including the Italian police, in the aftermath of his shocking crime.

While Ed McVey’s portrayal of Ripley captures the character’s inner turmoil, his performance occasionally leans towards frantic—perhaps a reflection of the directing choices. For instance, the pivotal scene where Ripley kills Dickie feels motivated by passion rather than the cold, calculated greed intended by Highsmith’s narrative. The contrast between Ripley’s outward charm and his true psychopathic nature adds depth to his character, but moments of deeper menace seem missing.

Set design plays a crucial role in this production, though it disappoints with its stark minimalism. The stage features a large square platform with a void at its center, presenting challenges in immersing the audience in the various settings. Better visual elements could have made the transitions between New York and Italy smoother, avoiding the confusion that arises during scenes, like when Ripley lies to Marge. The unexpected shift to a film set with a director yelling “Cut” adds a layer of meta-commentary, but it detracts from the overall tension.

Despite these concerns, the performances are commendable, particularly Ed McVey’s relentless energy in delivering extensive dialogue.

The Talented Mr. Ripley runs until Saturday, September 20th. Tickets can be purchased at Capital Theatres.