We’ve all pondered on strange stories of the repercussions of those in society who are misfits. Some are quietly drawn away by a sense of misplacement and exclusion and they can develop notions of misguided entitlement.
Tom Ripley (Will McDonald), an orphan, bullied and called a “sissy” in his youth, becomes a cunningly charming fraudster, the misfit with no empathetic attachment to his world, but with very dark intent. And an uncanny ability for mimicry and identity theft.
Patricia Highsmith’s original novel, ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’, published in 1955, was a best-seller and became destined for longevity.
It has been put on the screen, the most familiar being the 1999 film directed by Anthony Minghella, with Matt Damon as Ripley. And 2024’s Netflix limited series, “Ripley”, has been highly acclaimed. It’s black and white format, stunning cinematography and fine acting, overrides the fact that this Ripley, played by distinguished actor Andrew Scott, was 47 years old. In the novel, Tom Ripley is 25 years old, as are his young 20 something friends in the story.
The STC production has cast young actors as the lead characters. It was adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith and directed by Sarah Goodes, who has directed four new works with Murray-Smith, the first being “Switzerland” for the STC in 2014. Murray-Smith wrote this play about Patricia Highsmith. “Switzerland” will shortly be released as a feature length film with Helen Mirren as Highsmith.
The cast do a splendid job on a stark but highly functional set design by Elizabeth Gadsby. The wonderful period pieces of glamourous furniture are moved around efficiently on wheels representing various Italian cities.
McDonald tells the audience his story, as Ripley, on and off. It works very well. His transitions are great and the energy level of the cast works brilliantly.
Ripley starts the play, back in time in New York, on a bar stool, down and out and bored, where he meets millionaire Herbert Greenleaf (played by the wonderful Andrew W McFarlane). Greenleaf recruits (with poor judgement) Ripley to convince his son, Dickie, who is living luxuriously, on his trust fund as a painter in Southern Italy, to return home. He offers Ripley a decent monthly salary.
Ripley – fresh off the boat and out of his social depth – finds and befriends Dickie (played vivaciously by Raj Labade) and Dickie’s beautiful and sweet American girlfriend, Marge, (played with grace and charm by Claude Scott-Mitchel).
Marge is a little suspicious of this newcomer, who doesn’t quite add up as someone equal in status to her inner circle of friends.
Dickie’s best friend arrives, Freddie (played with mischievous humour by Faisal Hamza), a fellow American, no-nonsense, full of life, adventurous fellow trust fund baby. He also becomes a little perplexed by this odd young man, willing to represent Dickie’s father abroad.
Johnny Nasser plays the Italian inspector Rolverini with gusto and a superb Italian accent.
The costumes by Emma White are great. The Italian linen 1950s suits, summer luxury wear. Steve Francis does a great job with the sound & music.
The lighting by Damien Cooper is fantastic. It compliments the very simple backdrops of the set.
You may well know the storyline of Mr Ripley. If not, I won’t spoil it by writing too much. The tension is very real and needs to be seen.
THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY is a beautifully written and directed play. You must see it. It’s a great story for the stage and well executed. It runs at the Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay, until the 28th September 2025.
Production photography by Prudence Upton
