Review Roundup: DOUBLE IDEMNITY UK Tour, Starring Mischa Barton

Performances are underway for the new stage adaptation of James M. Cain's Double Indemnity, starring Mischa Barton in her UK stage debut. Inspired by Billy Wilder’s legendary film noir masterpiece, Double Indemnity opened at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre before hitting the road across the UK and Ireland until May before a West End season. View a full list of tour dates.

Set in Los Angeles during the 1930s, amidst the wreckage of the Great Depression, Double Indemnity follows Walter Huff, a sharp-eyed insurance salesman who has built his career spotting scams. But when he meets the dangerously seductive Phyllis Nirdlinger (Barton) to discuss her husband’s life insurance policy, he is drawn into a web of lust, greed, and betrayal.

Together, they plot the perfect crime: murder the husband, cash in the policy, and vanish into the Californian sunset. But passion clouds judgment and guilt corrodes even the most perfect of plans. As their conspiracy unravels and mistrust festers, Walter and Phyllis find themselves battling not only the law, but each other.

Check out what the critics are saying...

Chris O'Rourke, The Arts Review: For first timers, Double Indemnity offers much to enjoy when not dragging its heels. For fans, some will feel Hollander and Toeman have taken too many liberties. Joshua Gatsby's lighting might play with the shadows, but Ti Green’s gun grey set looks more like a nuclear bunker under the Hollywood sign than a noir landscape. Dan Balfour’s composition might do enough, but it lacks the power of Miklós Rózsa evocative score. Even so, Double Indemnity cracks along at pace, serves up a surprise or two, and Barton never looks less than iconic. 

Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus: The frustration with ‘Double Indemnity' is that the intriguing premise, decent cast and legendary film noir background ought to provide enough ingredients for a thoroughly entertaining thriller. While this adaptation has some strengths, they are offset by as many weaknesses. The overall feeling is that similar Chandler-esque stories have made more successful transitions to the stage.

James Jordan, East MIdlands Theatre: This new stage reimagining of a timeless classic works well – so, whether you come as a devotee of Cain’s novella, a lover of Wilder’s film, or a newcomer drawn in by the promise of seeing a Hollywood star on stage, catch it this week at the Theatre Royal Nottingham. You’ll not be disappointed.

Cathie, Theatre and Tonic: Overall, this is a fantastic homage to the original noir story while adding fresh twists to keep the story dynamic and captivating. It is a hugely fun night out, and many of the audience loved guessing the next steps in the interval. If you enjoy classic noir, fabulous casts, and a great night out, then this is the show for you.

JIm Pritchard, Seen and Heard International: Even though in my opinion what they were acting left something to be desired that there are fine performances from the entire ensemble is not in doubt. The play is advertised as ‘Mischa Barton in Double Indemnity’ yet the Hollywood star of film, television and stage merely drifts in and out of the story as Phyllis, although Barton was suitably alluring and coldly manipulative throughout. Ciarán Owens brings a certain charisma to Walter who if the story was not to take the turn it does you might find yourself rooting for as an (anti-)hero. It is those turn of events which transforms Owens’s cocksure (!), brash, devious and ambitious Walter of the first half into the insecure, doomed figure of the second half.

Louise Penn, Loureviews: Double Indemnity is a tale of lust, deception, and greed with a finale that I didn’t expect. Although it took a while to warm up in Act One, the action definitely ramps up in Act Two. A very enjoyable evening. I give this 4 stars.