Review: SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, Theatre Royal
Single White Female runs at the Theatre Royal until
Single White Female is a new stage play adapted by Rebecca Reid, based on the book by John Lutz and the 1992 film.
When Allie (Lisa Faulkner) separates from her cheating husband Sam (Jonny McGarrity) she moves into a trendy new apartment with her teenage daughter Bella (Amy Snudden). She has a strict custody agreement and receives maintenance payments from Sam but when he drops the bombshell that the 21-year-old he left her for is pregnant, he lets Allie know that he will be drastically reducing the payments.
Bella attends a posh school but feels ashamed that she has to take the bus there while other parents drop their children off. Allie is desperately trying to land a deal with her new business venture that will get them back on track financially, but her friend and neighbour Graham (Andro) suggests that she advertise for a roommate to rent the spare room.
This production has been modernised, and it works brilliantly for the story. Allie has been unwittingly broadcasting details of her life on social media, and when she posts the apartment advert, she instantly receives a response from Hedy (Kym Marsh). On paper, Hedy is perfect. She has a cool job that means she’ll be away a lot and the two women get along brilliantly. Bella takes a while to warm up but when Hedy presents as a cool parent alternative that can buy her expensive gifts and enable her to bunk off school, she is won over.
Kym Marsh is fantastic as Hedy, seeming to delight in causing mischief to wreak havoc on Allie’s life. Her sly digs don’t go unnoticed by the audience, who are onto her behaviour long before Allie is. There’s a lot more to this than meets the eye, and watching Hedy’s true motivations reveal themselves is gripping. While some of it you’ll see coming, there are some really great twists.
Single White Female will appeal to new audiences as well as fans of the original book and film. This is a genuinely thrilling production with strong performances and a story that will have you hooked.
Photo credit: Chris Bishop
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