Strangers On A Train – REVIEW

The Genesian Theatre Company’s latest production is the gripping thriller, Strangers On A Train, adapted from the novel by Patricia Highsmith and made famous via the 1951 Alfred Hitchcock film by the same name. 

Highsmith is best known these days for having written The Talented Mr Ripley and The Price of Salt, both which were adapted into films, the latter retitled Carol. If you’re familiar with any of these works, then you’ll get a sense of the intrigue, complex characters and clever exposition of Strangers On A Train. 

The premise: two young men, strangers to each other, meet while riding in the same carriage on a train journey. Guy Haines (Hamish MacDonald) and Charles Bruno (Roy Wallace-Cant) begin chatting while sharing nips from Bruno’s flask. It transpires that both have someone in their lives that is making them miserable. 

Haines’ wife is cheating on him, though it seems he is also having an affair. Bruno hates his father so much he wishes he was dead. After a few more nips from the flask, Bruno suggests a plan to Haines — they should each kill the other’s nemesis, that is, Bruno will kill Haines’ wife and Haines will kill Bruno’s father. 

Bruno rationalises that they are complete strangers to their intended victims and therefore would be beyond suspicion. Haines is clearly stunned by the proposal but sensing something unstable in Bruno, he pretends to go along with the idea. 

Unexpectedly,  Bruno carries out his side of the bargain and confronts Haines about fulfilling his part. Haines desperately tries to get out of the “deal”, but Bruno threatens to expose Haines’ affair, thereby making him a suspect in his wife’s murder. 

The scenes between these two characters are filled with electric tension. There is an overtone of sexual attraction on the part of Bruno towards Haines, which muddies his agenda. In scenes between Bruno and his mother, Elsa (Jane Wallace, real live mother to Wallace-Cant) we see an uncomfortably close relationship and co-dependency. 

Meanwhile, Haines is trying to act natural with his soon-to-be wife, Anne (Rachele Edson), but Bruno’s uninvited intrusion into their lives makes that impossible. With each scene, the vice tightens until the play reaches a shocking conclusion. 

The performances are terrific by a cast who are mostly new to the Genesian stage. In additional roles are Krishae Senthuran, Cris Bocchi, and Christopher Brown. Director, Mark G. Nagle does a great job in balancing nuance with histrionics, especially between the two main characters.

The set design is not as elaborate and literal as in most Genesian productions, but its starkness allows easy location changes, and also adds a sense of surrealism. Venetian blinds at the rear of the stage are used to great effect. 

Strangers On A Train is an exciting new offering from the Genesian Theatre, and definitely worth the very reasonable ticket price. 

Until April 20

Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent St, Sydney

www.genesiantheatre.com.au/