‘a gripping, stylish thriller that keeps the audience taut with suspense from beginning to end’
Single White Female arrives on stage with a difficult challenge: to reinvent a film so steeped in psychological tension and iconic 90s paranoia. Happily, Rebecca Reid’s updated production succeeds by leaning into what theatre does best — intimacy and the unnerving sense that danger is unfolding only feet away. The result is a gripping, stylish thriller that keeps the audience taut with suspense from beginning to end. The play has been brought into the now with subtle but effective changes to include more modern references such as social media and trends of now.
The story follows Allie (Lisa Faulkner), a successful New Yorker rebuilding her life after discovering her fiancé’s Sam’s (Jonny McGarrity) infidelity. Seeking both independence and companionship, she advertises for a roommate and welcomes the shy, seemingly harmless Hedy (Kym Marsh) into her apartment. At first, the arrangement appears ideal. But admiration curdles into obsession, boundaries dissolve, and Hedy’s need to become part of Allie’s life turns increasingly sinister. What begins as domestic drama spirals into a chilling battle for identity and survival.
This production is underpinned by a stellar cast who drive the story, atmosphere and development throughout. Marsh’s excellent portrayal of Hedy and the subtle changes throughout is sublime and in wonderful contrast to Faulkner’s softer more structured Allie, who you warm to and support from the very beginning. Andro plays Graham, Allie’s friend and business partner, loyal, fun and an great injection of fun and energy to a a serious play. Love to hate Sam (McGarrity), a bit slimy character in his past who is clearly trying to change. Finally, Amy Snudden portraying Bella, Allie’s daughter. A very stroppy teenager who has a very sudden and alarming wake-up call as to what a mother really is. Despite a small cast, they have a dynamic range of characters which bounce off each other seamlessly.
The production’s greatest strength lies in its atmosphere. The sound design is superbly orchestrated, layering the eerie sounds of the building with modern music to show scene changes, each with their own tone and meaning. Every choice heightens unease, making even the most ordinary household moments feel threatening.
Lighting plays an equally vital role in building tension. Bold colours around the staging to evoke a sense of urgency, simple lighting for the living room select, sudden dark moments and the unnervingly lit memory which lies above the main set, that at times is thrust into the performance with a sense of dread and unknowing.
The staging is cleverly executed, making excellent use of an apartment set that allows simultaneous action and voyeuristic sightlines. Bedrooms, kitchen, and living areas remain fully and partially visible, creating the constant impression that someone is always watching. Scene transitions are swift and fluid, preserving momentum and ensuring the suspense never slackens. The confined domestic setting becomes a pressure cooker, proving that a simple apartment can be as terrifying as any haunted house.
Costume design sharply defines the central relationship. Allison’s polished professional wardrobe reflects confidence and control, while Hedra begins in fashionable and unassuming outfits which portray nothing but an ordinary woman. As the play progresses, changes in Hedra’s appearance become deeply unsettling, visually charting her attempt to erase herself and replace the woman she envies. It is a smart, disturbing use of costume as storytelling.
Above all, Single White Female works because it understands suspense. It knows when to hold back, when to shock, and when to let the audience’s imagination do the work. This is edge-of-your-seat theatre: sleek, unsettling, and deliciously tense. Fans of the original film will relish seeing its menace translated live, while newcomers will find themselves drawn into a thriller that tightens its grip scene by scene. A stylishly executed production that leaves you breathless.
Review Date: 28th April 2026
Star Rating: FOUR