'Strangers On A Train' was originally conceived as a psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith in 1950. The story concerns two men, Guy and Charlie, whose lives become entangled after they meet on a train journey. Charlie proposes they 'trade' murders and then goes ahead and fulfils his end of the imaginary bargain, somewhat forcing Guy to do the same.
However Charlie can't leave the situation there and develops a subtle obsession with Guy, becoming an increasingly consistent part of his life - something his target doesn't appreciate. The novel was adapted as a film in 1951 by Alfred Hitchcock and, more recently, reworked as a stage play in 2013.
First things first; 'Strangers' is a slightly different kettle of fish to some similar thrillers touring the UK in the last few years. Whilst storytelling is a huge part of what makes the play so successful, a major area for commendation lies with the creative team who have put together a visually intriguing and audibly beautiful piece of theatre.
The set takes the form of a number of moving panels, which, teamed with some brilliant projection, sweep in all directions to reveal different areas of the set for different scenes. For an audience, this is what sets the show apart from the its contemporaries and, alongside an audio experience that panned the audio around the auditorium, gave an amazing sense of atmosphere.
As with so many plays of this kind, the cast were small but perfectly formed. Jack Ashton and Chris Harper take on the lead roles of Guy and Charles respectively. Harper delivers a measured performance of a man who's struggling to live with his actions and the guilt trip it's led him to. Harper also excels, playing the polar opposite to Ashton's reserved outlook and takes on the role of a man struggling to deal with alcoholism and the grip it has on him. One particular point to note is that Harper managed something others can often struggle with - playing a drunk without descending into a caricature.
Other stand out performances were Hannah Tointon who excelled as Guy's new wife, Anne, going from a happy young bride to a character who amounted to being her husbands saviour and Helen Anderson as Charles's long suffering mother, Elsie.
'Strangers' is far, far more than 'another thriller'. This is a compelling, intriguing piece of theatre that keeps your attention throughout and brings another edge to the genre. If you're a fan of shows that suck you in and spit you out, this is well worth the ticket price.
Strangers On A Train runs at the New Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 3rd February, for more information head to atgtickets.com/birmingham.
