Roslyn Packer Theatre 7:30 pm
I last watched the film adaptation of The Talented Mr Ripley in the summer of 2023 – the summer that Saltburn hit our screens and mesmerised us all with its intoxicating, messed-up depiction of a complex, envy-ridden friendship. Saltburn director Emerald Fennell came under a lot of flak for what many people viewed as a barefaced rip-off of Patricia Highsmith’s beloved 1950s novel. And though the people wielding that claim have a point (Saltburn seems to borrow a lot from Ripley: the dynamic between the protagonists, the complexity and nuance of a minor class divide, even the sexy bathtub scene), the more I watch both, the more I’m reminded that this is a story as old as time. In both Saltburn and The Talented Mr Ripley, we see a starry-eyed boy driven to the furthest extremes by a toxic curdle of admiration, lust, and hatred. It’s a story that’s played out in literature forever, with characters in Greek mythology, Roman comedy, and Shakespearean tragedy all following similar journeys of envy, deceit, and attempts at stolen identity.
In Sydney Theatre Company’s new production of The Talented Mr Ripley, the story is executed with masterful comic brilliance and a chilling, sociopathic undertone. As an audience, you’re carried on an all-consuming journey by characters you learn to hate but root for all the same.
What’s the premise of The Talented Mr Ripley?
The play follows the slightly awkward, desperately socially unsatisfied Tom Ripley (whose status anxiety is perfectly depicted by the brilliant Will McDonald) on a journey to Italy to persuade the wealthy and carefree Dickie Greenleaf (an almost-friend from their school days) to return home to New York. Riddled with envy for Dickie’s privileged life and easeful demeanour, Tom insinuates himself into his world, eventually killing him and assuming his identity. In "becoming Dickie Greenleaf", Ripley learns that moving through the world as Dickie is far more complicated than it looks.
Who are the stars of The Talented Mr Ripley in Sydney?
The Australian production stars Will McDonald (Netflix’s Heartbreak High) as Ripley and Raj Labade (Amazon Prime’s The Office) as the infuriatingly magnetic Dickie Greenleaf. Claude Scott Mitchell (Binge’s The Last Anniversary) plays Marge, and Faisal Hamza gives Philip Seymour Hoffman a run for his money as the odious Freddie Miles.
Highlight of The Talented Mr Ripley Sydney
For me, the scene in Rome – where Tom begins to live out his dreams as Dickie’s trusted companion – was executed with perfect, deluded warmth, described in the play by Ripley as “like a tub of honey had been poured over us – viscous camaraderie.” And though the acting throughout was note-perfect, the staging (designed by Elizabeth Gadsby) really elevated the production. The set starts as a surreal, minimalist dreamscape and becomes increasingly complex as Ripley’s web of lies and deceit thickens. As a theatrical device, the use of simple props and transporting lighting is perfect and adds to the case that Ripley should have always been a stage show. That being said, I’m not mad about having been granted the opportunity to watch Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow make out on a boat.
Who will like The Talented Mr Ripley Sydney?
Though it’s undeniably an excellent piece of theatre (directed by the award-winning Sarah Goodes), this isn’t a play for the theatre snobs. With its commanding cast, heart-pumping plotline, and contemporary soundtrack, this is an accessible show – one for the whole family, easily bored teenagers included. If you loved the movie, you’ll adore this play, but I almost envy people whose first encounter with the characters is on the Sydney stage.
Where is The Talented Mr Ripley playing in Sydney?
The show is playing at Sydney Theatre Company’s Roslyn Packer Theatre until Sunday, September 28.
How much are The Talented Mr Ripley tickets in Sydney
Tickets start at $89, and you can snap up yours over here.