The Girl On The Train

Three stars

Theatre Royal, Brighton, runs until Saturday, June 22

MOVING to the stage from its success as a novel and film, The Girl On The Train is a dark, mystery thriller.

Heavy drinker Rachel Watson (Samantha Womack) looks in on the seemingly perfect life of a couple she has dubbed Jason and Jess on her commute to London.

When Jess (actually named Megan) goes missing, Rachel inserts herself into the investigation, clawing up broken relationships with her ex-husband and deception from everyone around her.

Subtle symbolism creeping through the costume design and generally atmospheric and moody production design gave The Girl On The Train the look of a dark, London thriller.

However, the production gets off to a slow start with scenes of Rachel drinking in her dismal apartment adding little to the pace or plot, and the play moves on to become stuck on a single track of scenes consisting of arguments, slightly awkward retellings of past events, and long waits until the characters work out what the audience already has.

Samantha Womack was particularly enjoyable as a woman agonisingly and perpetually close to either a breakdown or a revelation, striking the right balance for the character throughout.

Shortcomings were mainly in the script with some flat and unexpected jokes which, instead of lightening the mood of the dark and twisted story, felt out of place.

Despite a convincing and thoroughly engaging cast, unfortunately, most of the thrill was saved for the very final scenes, thankfully concluding with a shocking and satisfying ending.

Lois Zoppi