Seven decades have passed since Patricia Highsmith first published her novel The Talented Mr Ripley. Countless screen versions have emerged over the years, along with radio and theatrical interpretations. Now, as writer and director Mark Leipacher brings the first UK tour of this psychological thriller to audiences, he has returned to the story’s original source material.
The production stays true to the book, Mark explains, offering theatregoers a gripping experience from start to finish. While earlier versions made various alterations, this staging honours the character’s origins, which will delight those familiar with the source text. Newcomers, he suggests, will encounter an extraordinarily compelling and intriguing anti-hero.
That anti-hero is Tom Ripley, an ordinary individual until he receives a commission to journey to Italy and escort wealthy, carefree Dickie Greenleaf home. As Tom becomes increasingly absorbed in Dickie’s privileged existence, his fixation takes a sinister direction. What starts as a straightforward invitation evolves into deception, stolen identities and killing, in a narrative that poses the question: how far would you go to become someone else?
Ed McVey, who portrayed Prince William in The Crown, takes on the lead role, with Maisie Smith from EastEnders cast as Marge. According to Mark, the production delivers an exceptionally entertaining and pulse-pounding evening. Highsmith crafted a thriller exploring travel, adventure and sophistication, all of which the creative team aimed to capture in their staging.
Mark’s fascination with this project traces back to the 1999 film directed by Anthony Minghella, featuring Matt Damon as Tom, Gwyneth Paltrow as Marge and Jude Law as Dickie. He explains that the theatrical potential struck him partly due to its performative nature. Years later, after reading the novel, he realised how substantially the book differed from the movie and reconsidered how well it would translate to stage.
Tom Ripley proves irresistible as a character, Mark notes, and the play explores his mental processes in depth. This allows him to share confidences with the live audience in ways impossible through techniques like film voiceover.
Without revealing plot details, Mark describes how the stage version combines realistic scenes with expressionist backdrops, with costumes and set pieces evoking the 1950s era. The staging features what he describes as a blank canvas, reflecting the novel’s strong emphasis on art and painting.
Seven decades after its initial release, Highsmith’s story continues to captivate readers. Mark’s explanation is straightforward: it is simply excellent. While acknowledging this might sound simplistic, he points to the superb writing, the penetrating psychological portrait, the richness and fascination of the central character, and the constant tension of wondering whether the protagonist will evade consequences.
Mark’s directing portfolio encompasses Mary Stuart, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Douglass, as well as adapting Wim Wenders’ film Wings of Desire for theatre. Regarding his two principal cast members, he is clearly delighted. Both deliver exceptional performances. Ed possesses remarkable talent and a remarkable ability to meet the role’s technical demands, given that Tom remains on stage throughout except during intermission. Maisie demonstrates a profound comprehension of Marge and what female agency meant during the 1950s.
Ed McVey accepted the role without hesitation upon reading the script. The story and character carry such recognition that he inevitably had expectations from previous versions. The script immediately stood out with its vigour and innovative approach.
Previous performers in the Ripley role have included Damon, John Malkovich and Andrew Scott. Ed acknowledges the prospect is daunting and produces fear, yet views this as part of the appeal. He approached it as something thrilling, fresh and fundamentally theatrical. While he holds those other performers in high regard, this stage version demands something he believes he must uncover independently. Mark concentrates heavily on the novel itself, making that his primary reference point rather than film or television versions.
Ed characterises his stage portrayal of Ripley as fundamentally shaped by his history. A difficult upbringing left him without advantages many take for granted. He simply seeks an improved existence for himself, something Ed believes resonates broadly. While most would reject Tom’s methods entirely, Ed can identify with the aspiration to dream and pursue one’s best life.
Ed rose to prominence as Prince William in The Crown. Working alongside established performers such as Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce and Dominic West on the Netflix phenomenon proved initially daunting. However, the production ran with impressive efficiency, and newcomers received warm welcomes. The experience was extraordinary but deeply enjoyable, and daily collaboration with performers of such calibre enabled him to absorb valuable lessons from their craft.
Regarding nerves around famous colleagues, Ed explains that during early audition stages he participated in a table read before securing the part, encountering all those accomplished individuals in one room. Any initial astonishment dissipated quickly, though he admits to moments of disbelief at the situation.
Taking on Tom Ripley represents another career milestone. Ed suggests Highsmith’s narrative endures because audiences remain fascinated by the darker aspects of human psychology. Society presents obstacles that impede desires, yet here is a figure who pursues his ambitions, albeit through repulsive means. Human nature, he observes, draws us to such personalities.
Building the stamina required for a role that demands almost constant presence on stage involves ongoing preparation, Ed explains with a grin. The challenge is substantial, yet his enthusiasm remains high. The quality of the writing provides the motivation.
Maisie Smith was attracted to Marge due to her intelligence, creativity and intuition. She stands out as perhaps the sole individual who suspects Tom Ripley’s true nature, while everyone else remains entangled in his deception. Marge penetrates his facade.
Maisie concurs with Mark that Marge deviates significantly from typical female characters of the 1950s. She is a forceful, independent woman who owns her own residence and exists outside a conventional romantic relationship with Dickie. Far from a decorative spouse, she represents an empowered figure. Marge writes her own literature and practices photography, interests Maisie shares. She has recently begun writing and painting herself, discovering common creative ground.
Hailing from Essex, Maisie notes with amusement that her character speaks more eloquently, though dialect coaching and confidence with the American accent are helping.
Maisie achieved fame playing Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders. Her time there proved thoroughly enjoyable despite the intensity. The workload was demanding, with approximately ten scenes filmed daily, a pace uncommon in most productions. Without drama school training, the learning curve was steep, yet surrounding herself with gifted performers provided invaluable education.
Her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, where she finished runner-up in 2020, fulfilled another ambition. She can scarcely believe she received compensation for such an experience. The competition pushed her capabilities further than anticipated, ultimately leading to involvement in the Strictly Ballroom musical under Craig Revel Horwood’s direction.
The Talented Mr Ripley marks her inaugural straight play. The prospect excites her greatly, and she looks forward to watching the character and scenes develop over the coming months. Touring appeals to her particularly, as it fosters genuine camaraderie among fellow cast members and offers fascinating insight into how varied audiences respond.
Gwyneth Paltrow portrayed Marge in Minghella’s film while Dakota Fanning took on the role in the Netflix series. Like Ed, Maisie brings her own interpretation to the character. She has encountered those performances and found them impressive, yet deliberately avoids revisiting them to prevent any unconscious imitation. Her goal involves crafting a personal, uninfluenced portrayal.
The Talented Mr Ripley arrives at Devonshire Park Theatre, the historic Victorian venue in Eastbourne, from 30 March until 4 April 2026. Tickets start at £22 and are available online at eastbournetheatres.co.uk or through the Box Office on 01323 412000.