Review: Strangers On A Train at the Gielgud Theatre

Strangers On A Train
Gielgud Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 20th November 2013

It feels like a while since I've sat in a West End theatre and watched a well put together, gripping thriller. Many are familiar with Strangers On A Train as Alfred Hitchcock’s film version was very popular when released in 1951. However, the stage play, based on Patricia Highsmith's novel which was published in 1950, goes in a different direction to Hitchcock’s film.

Two strangers meet on a train and coincidentally both men are with reason to wish a loved one dead; Guy (Laurence Fox) is unhappy with his wife's promiscuous behaviour while Bruno (Jack Huston) desires his father's fortune. Bruno, who is clearly a psychopath, comes up with a plan. He suggests that they swap murders as nobody would ever know about their connection. Guy is not convinced, but things become a little complicated when Bruno goes ahead with the first murder... and it turns out that his plan was not as clever as he first thought.

I think there is a line between a piece of theatre having a cinematic feel and a piece of theatre trying to be a film. Throughout the first half hour of Strangers On A Train the production crosses this line several times. However, once the story has been established the style settles and Strangers On A Train becomes a lavish piece of theatre. It looks phenomenal.

The most impressive element of the show is Tim Goodchild's breathtaking design. I am always easily won over by a revolving stage, but Goodchild's design really raises the bar. The stage smoothly revolves revealing major set changes which have happened within seconds. The attention to detail is remarkable and I have no idea how the backstage team manage to change each set so quickly and quietly - not once did I hear a bang or crash. The stage management team must be commended.

I loved the storyline which became immensely gripping as the piece progressed, particularly during the second act. I was never completely sure what was going to happen next as Craig Warner's writing is extremely clever. I could see Robert Allan Ackerman's overall vision for the piece, although I felt his direction lacked complete consistency. Perhaps too much time was spent on the spectacle rather than the depth of one or two of the characters. Occasionally minor details, such as the way in which a character entered of exited, just felt lazy.

Strangers On A Train is a stylish and excitingly brilliant piece of theatre. It took me a good half hour to really get into it but as soon as I was gripped I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. The cast are mostly strong and help to build and build the tension. If you fancy a good thriller then you really have no other option than to book tickets to see this slick, smooth and unpredictable piece of theatre. I left the Gielgud Theatre full of adrenaline and contemplating a life of crime...

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com

Strangers On A Train is currently booking at the Gielgud Theatre until 22nd February 2014.
Click here to book tickets.

Read West End Frame's interview with Miranda Raison about her role in Strangers On A Train here.

Photo Credit: Brinkhoff & Mögenburg

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