This month, I saw the touring production of Single White Female, an updated version of the film adapted for the stage, starring Lisa Faulkner and Kym Marsh. In preparation, I made sure to have watched the movie, which gave me a good grounding for what to expect, even though they were two very different things.

The play updates the story to the modern day, rather than the firmly 90s movie, and sets us in the UK, rather than the US film. We are also introduced to a teenager character who serves to add some social media and bullying angles, as well as a bit of extra tension as the second half progresses. Some of the changes worked better than others.

There was a big sub-plot that explained why Hedy is a bit unhinged and that’s fine, it works well as a narrative, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed. Why can’t a woman just be a psychopath, why does there have to be some underlying baby-related reason? There was an interesting twist at the end though that got me thinking.

Kym Marsh was absolutely incredible as Hedy, starting out bubbly and nice with just an undercurrent of danger, but gradually upping the threat levels and peeling off some layers to reveal the more problematic underbelly. She was utterly believable and a really captivating watch. Lisa Faulkner didn’t quite reach those heights, although I read that it’s her first theatre performance for twenty years so understandable that some dust needs blowing off. She did the harassed, over-protective thing well, but sometimes the dialogue felt a bit stilted.

Overall it was a really strong production, as long as you don’t have too much connection to the original film or look too closely at any potential plot holes or confusing moments. Go to it as a fun thriller night out and you’ll be fine. And then you’ll come home and very firmly lock your doors at night. Just in case.