Ed McVey (The Crown, Netflix), Maisie Smith (EastEnders, BBC) and the cast are now in rehearsals for the first UK tour of THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY which opens at the Everyman Cheltenham on 4 September.
The production, a stage adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s iconic 1955 novel, will feature a talented ensemble bringing the chilling story to life.
Leading the cast are the previously announced Ed McVey (known for his role as Prince William in Netflix’s The Crown) as the titular Tom Ripley, and Maisie Smith (Eastenders) as Marge Sherwood. Joining them is Bruce Herbelin-Earle (The Boys in the Boat) as Dickie Greenleaf, the wealthy and carefree man whose life becomes entangled with Ripley’s. The cast also includes Christopher Bianchi, Cary Crankson, Leda, and Jason Eddy, with Lachlan McCall, Hollie Sullivan, and Aldous Ciokajlo-Squire completing the company.
Directed by Mark Leipacher, the play follows Tom Ripley, an aimless nobody who is sent to Italy to convince the privileged Dickie Greenleaf to return home. As Ripley becomes captivated by Dickie’s lavish lifestyle, his obsession turns dark, leading to a dangerous web of deception, identity theft, and murder. The production promises to be a thrilling, psychologically intense experience set against the sun-drenched backdrop of 1950s Italy.
This UK tour marks the 70th anniversary of Highsmith’s novel, which has inspired multiple acclaimed screen adaptations, including the 2000 film starring Matt Damon and the 2024 Netflix series with Andrew Scott. This stage version, produced by The Faction, is designed to bring a fresh, chilling perspective to the classic tale.
The tour will continue with stops in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Woking, Oxford, Brighton, Bristol, Richmond, and Salford, with more dates for 2026 to be announced. A national press night is scheduled for September 23rd.
Photo credit Danny Kaan
