Review: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, Richmond Theatre

Strangers On A Train was a highly successful, taut thriller written by Patricia Highsmith in 1950. Master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock adapted it into a highly charged and provocative film noir soon afterwards. It is a shame, therefore, that Anthony Banks' new production lacks any similar tension or intrigue.

The story loosely follows Guy Haines fateful meeting with Charles Bruno on a train. As the journey progresses, they plot to kill the inconvenient people in eachother's lives; Haines' unfaithful wife and Bruno's unloving father. Bruno takes the conversation literally, but Haines does not and so a story of violence, madness and psychological tension follows.

Well that is the aim, but at nearly two and a half hours, the show often feels laboured and overly long. There are many flabby scenes that need sharp cutting in an attempt to ramp up the tension; as Haines meets Bruno in a New York bar, it is difficult to see the motivation or purpose. Banks' decision to have both murders occur off-stage also reduces the suspense further; it is hard to be moved about characters we know so little about. The ending (changed for theatrical convenience) also feels unresolved and unsatisfying.

Jack Ashton, best known as Reverend Tom in Call the Midwife, is too reserved and stilted as Guy Haines. It is hard to find his motivation for eventually killing Bruno's father and he is too one dimensional to really care. There is not enough torment as a result of Bruno's harassment and no tangible guilt for his crime.

Chris Harper's portrayal of sociopath Charles Bruno is more interesting. He presents a self-pitying man-child; manipulative and narcissistic, with more than a hint of madness. His inappropriate relationship with his indulgent mother is particularly chilling and his temper tantrums are pitched well.

Hannah Tointon plays Haines' new beau Anne. Her lack of theatrical experience shows up starkly in the play; her delivery is over the top, unconvincing and lacks nuance. There is no chemistry between her and Ashton, so the pressures on their relationship are hard to believe. Her part is also very underwritten, which does not help her cause.

Haines's work associate is an odd inclusion in the production and is played by Sandy Batchelor as a loud and constantly giggling annoyance. John Middleton's appearance as genial private detective Arthur Gerard is very welcome, but all-too-short.

The production looks good. David Woodhead's set design is a clever concept of sliding panels that reveal various locations and rooms. It works well with Duncan McLean's striking video projections and allows a huge amount of set changes without very much disruption to the flow of the production. Scenes using an ingenious sliding staircase are very effective. Unfortunately, due to the size of the stage, the rooms often feel cramped and some of the sight lines are inevitably compromised.

The production feels like one big missed opportunity; the subtleties of the text are too frequently compromised and the tight thrill of intrigue and suspense is sadly absent.

Strangers On A Train is at Richmond Theatre until 24 February, then touring

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