A divorcee who has lost her job and husband – can she recall the events that led to the killing of Megan the woman whose life she envied?
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan
The Girl On The Train was a number one bestseller in 2015 telling the story about Rachel (Samantha Womack) who envies what she thought she saw – the ideal relationship between Megan and Scott Hipwell.
The story rotates around the mystery of the death of Megan (Kirsty Oswald) a neighbour of Rachel’s ex-husband, Tom (Adam Jackson-Smith). Rachel is an alcoholic whose apparent obsession for Tom and his new wife, is destructive. Rachel fights against the fug of alcohol to understand and interpret what she has seen, whilst travelling on the train each day and in the evening the neighbour Megan disappeared.
Samantha Womack’s monologue has the audience holding its breath due to the intensity of her delivery. The accent of Matt Concannon who plays the investigating officer is also breath of fresh air as he introduces a touch of humour in what is otherwise a completely absorbing play.
The scenery is bleak which is very appropriate as the contrast between Rachel and Toms’s homes os very stark. The stage is deftly transformed from the grim flat to the family home, to the therapist’s office. The scene changes are slick and efficient as the drama of the play unfurls. The lighting is harsh and highlights the reality of the lives that the characters lead. Sadly though, you may struggle to realised the significance of the train in this staging of this production.
The Girl On The Train just misses out on being an edge of your seat thriller on the stage, which is a bit of a shame as the script is brilliant. Fans of the book though will enjoy this new interpretation, however, and will no doubt have fun identifying the strands of the mystery as it unfurls.
The Girl On The Train is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 2nd November 2019.
