Review: LOVE FROM A STRANGER, Richmond Theatre

Director Lucy Bailey has solid form with adaptations of Agatha Christie stories; her Olivier Award-nominated version of Witness For The Prosecution is currently a hit at County Hall. She has also directed Dial M For Murder and Gaslight, so it's not entirely surprising that this touring version of Love From a Stranger is a taut and compelling thriller.

Agatha Christie's little-known short story Philomel Cottage was reworked into a stage version in 1936. Actor and playwright Frank Vosper then rewrote it as Love From a Stranger. In a delicious twist, worthy of Christie herself, Vosper died in mysterious circumstances on his way back from the Broadway production of the play.

The story follows Cecily Harrington, who has won a grand sum in a sweepstake and now craves a life of travel and excitement rather than dull domesticity with her too-dependable fiancé Michael. When dashing American Bruce arrives in her life and tempts her with a new life, she becomes embroiled in a sinister cat and mouse game, which threatens both her safety and her sanity.

Bailey builds the tension very subtly, with the first half being fairly light and often comedic due to the presence of Cecily's overbearing Aunt Loulou. After the interval, there is a definite shift as the newly-wed couple move to a remote country cottage. It is here that Bailey develops an electrifying and ultimately horrifying domestic thriller.

It would be easy to see this as a story of a woman punished for wanting excitement and adventure over the social expectations of a dull and lifeless marriage, but the production subverts this cleverly with an unexpected and ingenious twist at the end.

Helen Bradbury gives a nicely balanced and credible performance as Cecily. As with so many Christie characters, she is rather frustrating to the audience as she is seemingly blind to Bruce's unsettling behaviour, but we are constantly rooting for her.

Nicola Sanderson is a riot as prim and overly proper Aunt Loulou, obsessed with Harrods, Fortnum's and the 'correct' way of doing things.

As Bruce, Sam Frenchum slips easily into the role of both voyeur and alluring stranger. His threat of violence is subtle but constantly disconcerting. It is not always obvious what Cecily finds so appealing about him, as he often lacks warmth and charm. One criticism is that scenes attempting to show heightened sexual attraction between the pair are not burning with necessary and convincing chemistry.

Michael Britton's effective set, with sliding walls and translucent windows, allows the audience to see Bruce sniffing Cecily's nightwear and eavesdropping creepily at the top of stairs. This combines very well with Oliver Fenwick's atmospheric lighting and Richard Hammerton's eerie sound design.

This is a clever production that is consistently both disquieting and surprising, with a delicious twist that comes from nowhere.

Love From a Stranger is at Richmond Theatre until 5 May, then touring

Photo Credit: Sheila Burnett