” Raw, Provocative and Challenging” – Small House Big Trips
Fatal Attraction is one of those iconic movies from the late 80’s. Everyone knows the story, even if they might not have watched it (surely everyone has watched it?). I was excited about this evenings performance. A chance to see the film from Paramount Pictures Corporation turned into a stage show at the Alexandra Theatre. It is also the last week that Kym Marsh plays the role of Alex before Louise Redknapp joins the cast as Beth and Susie Amy steps into the shoes of Alex Forrest.
For those who do not know the story, it is about married man, Dan (Oliver Farnworth) who meets an attractive female, Alex. Dan’s wife Beth (Susie Amy) is away at her mums house for the weekend so they can view a new house, with their daughter Ellen (we don’t see Ellen, she remains just a voice) and when Dan is left alone in the New York bar after his mate Jimmy (John Macaulay) has to rush off, he gets talking to Alex at the bar.
Alex is attractive, talkative and Dan finds her alluring. He knows what he is doing is wrong but he is taken with the attention. He wants a taste of what a different life might be like. But one night with Alex turns into two and Alex becomes smitten, unable to let Dan go. What he thought was going to be a two night stand, soon turns into something a lot more dramatic as Alex struggles to come to terms with the fact that Dan has no intention of abandoning his family, Alex embarks on a journey to wreck his life and break him and his wife up.
The performance is raw, provocative and challenging. With scenes of self abuse, violence and spine-chilling moments. It might not be the performance for everyone, especially anyone squeamish as the scenes involving blood look very real and are cleverly performed. We watch the performance in 2022 but it is clear that we need to remember that it is a production based on the 1987 film. It isn’t identical, we have the use of mobile phones in the stage show and talk of emails. Completing work on laptops and there is more of a late 90s, early 2000s feel to the show.
Kym Marsh played the role of Alex perfectly. Her portrayal of Alex and her impulsivity, fear of abandonment and quick change of personality was superb. Her presence on the stage was strong and captivating. At times you felt empathy for the situation she was in. She feels used, abandoned and hurt and reacts to situations with revenge. Given the option to fight or flight, Alex takes the fight choice – to the extreme.
Oliver Farnworth played the role of Dan with confidence, charm and vulnerability, all at different times. The audience groaned and moaned in disappointment at Dan. How could he cheat on his wife, put his family at risk. At points I wondered if we may move into a pantomime feel. Were people going to start ‘boo’ing him’?
Susie Amy (Beth) and Anita Booth (Joan) played a great mother and daughter performance and John Macaulay (Jimmy) sure did have some dance moves and strong acting skills.
The set was cleverly designed with beds, settees, a bar, desk and kitchen unit all magically appearing from the set walls. If you blinked, you could miss it. The clever use of the phones/cameras for the phone calls on the screen were great and the use of lighting was well thought out. There was a lot to like about this performance.
Why didn’t it get 5 stars from me, you might ask and I just think there is time and a chance for it to become a 5 star show. It is new, it isn’t perfected just yet and the first half didn’t grip me as I feel it should. The first half was a 3 star and the second half was a 4 star.
You can see Fatal Attraction at Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 5th March 2022. Tickets can be purchased here https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
Disclaimer: We were invited along to the press showing. All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.