Paula Hawkin’s best-selling novel was adapted for the big screen starring Emily Blunt and now it has been adapted for the stage. This psychological thriller is filled with twists and turns leaving you questioning everyone.
I hadn’t read the book, or seen the film which means I was fresh to the story with no idea which way it would go therefore I did find it gripping. Those who know the story will still appreciate the stage play and applaud how well it has been adapted.
It’s a dark thriller, the main character Rachel is an alcoholic divorcée who becomes obsessed with a woman she believes is living the perfect life with a nice home and loving husband. Rachel only gets to see snippets of this woman, Megan, when she rides by her house on the train to and from work everyday and can see through into her home, the rest she fantasises about convinced that Megan and husband Scott are living the picture-perfect life she herself dreams of.
Rachel’s life is in ruins, she has an eviction notice, she’s lost her job, and her ex-husband (Tom) has a new baby with his new wife (Anna), her only way to cope is drink and more drink. Her drinking leaves her with big holes in her memory, and foggy thoughts.
One day the police turn up regarding a missing woman – Megan – Rachel is confused as to how this could happen to the woman with the perfect life so she tries to clumsily help as she’s so certain that she knows something, but can’t quite capture the memory from her foggy thoughts. Everyone of course doesn’t believe her.
She says she’s a friend of Megan’s to get close to Scott, her husband. Unfortunately this is all happening only two-doors away from where she used to live with Tom.
All the characters are intertwined within the story in more ways than one, which adds to their being yet another plot twist just as you think you have figured out the killer. I will not be giving any spoilers here.
The story is filled with flashbacks and recounting memories, which is a lot harder to do on a stage than film, however this play was able to portray these memories subtly and very cleanly to keep the audience on the right track, considering the number of plot twists. Very few props were used for the whole play which means they can be quickly swept away, or replaced when it was a memory scene, or a subtle use of lighting, or using the small back stage behind the mesh. It was simple and effective and not once did I wonder whether I was in the present or the past. Each memory scene added more depth as we try ourselves to work out who is lying and who is telling the truth.
The thriller keeps you on your toes due to the storyline, however the actors really breathe life into the characters making them believable. Giovanna Fletcher who played Rachel, was very convincing and I think she was almost on stage for nearly every scene, she gave a great performance. In fact, they all did – it just wouldn’t have worked otherwise.
Cast
Rachel Watson – Giovanna Fletcher
Tom Watson – Jason Merrells
Anna Watson – Zena Carswell
Megan Hipwell – Natalie Dunne
Scott Hipwell – Samuel Collings
Kamal Abdic – Daniel Burke
DI Gaskill – Paul McEwan
This is an engaging dark, psychological thriller, which touches on abusive themes – don’t think you are out to the theatre for a joyful time!
This is playing at Norwich Theatre until 8th February – click here.
Photos: Pamela Raith Photography