You know that feeling when you forget you’re even sitting in a theatre because the story takes over so completely? That was my experience watching Single White Female at the Theatre Royal in Brighton.
Adapted for the stage by Rebecca Reid and directed by Gordon Greenberg, this modern version feels sharp and contemporary in all the right ways. It’s as unsettling as it is thrilling, making it one of those rare nights at the theatre where the world around you disappears. The lights go down and suddenly you’re fully inside the play, immersed.
The two powerhouse performances at the heart of the production are Kym Marsh, who is mesmerising as Hedy, and Lisa Faulkner who in turn brings warmth, vulnerability and real steel to Allie.
Marsh’s Hedy is compelling, seductive and utterly terrifying; a performance that tightens its hold on you as the story slowly unfolds. There is something almost hypnotic about the way she holds the stage, and she is genuinely stunning to watch.
Faulkner’s portrayal of a woman navigating single motherhood, trauma and the creeping unease feels grounded and somehow very human. There is a fierce, protective energy to her performance with a real “mama bear” presence that adds to the emotion of the whole play.
The supporting cast are equally strong, giving the story its depth. Andro brings some much-needed lightness as Graham, as well as humour and genuine likeability without feeling out of place at all. In fact, his scenes are some of the evening’s highlights to me. Jonny McGarrity is immensely charismatic, yet unlikeable as Sam, which is exactly what the role calls for. His presence is palpable in each scene he is in, brilliantly adding to the flow and intensity of the story.
Special mention must go to Amy Snudden as Bella. Her very believable portrayal of teenage angst and emotional volatility is raw and captivating. You could feel the audience leaning in whenever she was on stage, fully invested in the character’s struggles. Snudden’s performance is truly one that lingers.
What stayed with me was how fully realised the characters felt, each holding depth in a way that doesn’t happen by accident but by great skill.
The set and lighting design had been kept simple and clever, with some elements subtly foreshadowing the story’s turns without spelling it out to you. Music was also a big part of the atmosphere, as the songs between scene transitions had been clearly carefully chosen. This combination of the soundtrack and the visual felt special, making the play feel more complete in its style.
Something worth noting is that the audience at Theatre Royal was totally locked in on the story. There were audible gasps, laughter, sharp intakes of breath and lots of collective “oohs” and “aahs”. These shared reactions really added to the experience, making it feel like a proper communal night of theatre.
On a gloomy, rainy Brighton evening, Single White Female was the perfect watch: dark, totally gripping, emotionally charged and brilliantly performed, it pulls you in, keeps you guessing, and afterwards, it’ll keep you talking.
Single White Female runs at the Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday, January 17, before embarking on a UK tour.
Address: New Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1SD
Website: Theatre Royal
