The Talented Mr Ripley

Reading University
The Space On The Mile @ The Radisson

Reading's The Talented Mr Ripley is certainly one of the highlights of

university performance at the fringe this year. An excellent interpretation of
Phyllis Nagy's play of the same name, we follow the ups and downs of Tom
Ripley, as he lies, cheats and murders his way through the Greenleaf family
fortune.

Based on the character by Patricia Highsmith, Tom Ripley is a nefariously multi

faceted persona, making him difficult for any actor to portray. Dan Whatley does
however do a wonderful job of displaying the characters evolution during the series
of escalating events that entangle and frustrate his life, with the exception of a
somewhat poor American accent.

Each member of the cast plays an important role in creating an excellent dynamic in
the performance, and all of the scenes are professionally performed, with accents
ranging from passable to believeable.

The show itself is minimalist, almost black box in style, with only a few travel cases
as the main stage props. These are well utilised to create the locations in which the
play is set as we travel from stately homes to foreign countries, following Tom on his
travels.

Costume is well designed and grounds the show nicely within its own era. Overall
the performance is well concieved fully committing to some of the more violent
scenes in the play and allowing the dialogue to frame the events rather then
command them, whilst swift scene changes, mostly impressive American accents
and some professional level acting makes The Talented Mr Ripley a show not to be
passed up lightly.

Review by Chris CJ Belfield

Published online at 13:01 on Sunday 22 August 2010
The Talented Mr Ripley
4/5

Venue: theSpaces on the Mile @ The Radisson

On entering the intimate venue, one has to wonder how the Reading University Drama
Society is ever going to pull off a theatre production covering various locations in New York
and Italy in the minute space provided. When seated, you become aware that Tom Ripley
(Dan Whateley) is already on stage and is readying himself for the events to come.

Amazingly, using only four old fashioned suitcases as props, the actors pull of the entire play,
from Tom growing up with his patronising and dismissive Aunt Dottie, played by the talented
Beth McGlue (who also plays Mrs Greensleaf) ,all the way through to the twist of fate that
allows him to meet the Greensleaf’s, and on to Italy in this tiny space, without a hitch.

This version of the 1998 play by Phyllis Nagy (from Highsmith’s book), is superbly tackled
by the Reading University Drama Society. Dan Whateley is a fantastic choice of dark,
psychotic, antihero Tom Ripley. He has a difficult job, as he never leaves the stage, and has
to play the role of a cold, yet enraged and deranged psycho, with nothing to endear him to the
audience. Oli Halls also plays a convincing Dickie Greenleaf, but to make mention of only
Whateley, McGlue and Halls would be a mistake, as every actor in the production is superb
in their role, and play their characters to perfection. Dean Lamb, as Fausto, and Chris
Montague, as Marc Priminger, has the audience laughing out loud as their characters provide
light relief in this disturbing tale.

There are many poignant emotional parts to the play that are brilliantly portrayed, and the
American accents are well done by all.

This is definitely one of the shows to go and watch this festival. It is extremely enjoyable,
professional and definitely worth going out of your way for. We will be looking out for this
group with anticipation at The Fringe in 2011.

Sandi Hunter
Fringe Quickies: The Talented Mr.
Ripley

Rich, subtle performances bring the Ripley tale to life with

great attention to the novel’s Gatsby-esque atmosphere
that all the film adaptations failed to convey. Chris
Montague excels as a poised and poisonous Freddie Miles,
while Dan Whateley’s superb rendition of Tom Ripley mixes
youthful spontaneity and ruthless obstinacy. Despite its
somewhat abrupt ending, the play’s narrative moves
gracefully with clever overlapping transitions, resulting in a
sophisticated choreography of jealousy and betrayal.

The Talented Mr. Ripley. Directed by Eve Nicol. The

Spaces on the Mile @ The Radisson, Edinburgh. 16,
18, 20, 24, 26, 28 August, 13:00. £6.50 (£5
concessions). www.ruds.co.uk

http://www.eroticreviewmagazine.com/content/fringe-quickies-talented-mr-ripley