Strangers on a Train (play)
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox play
| name =Strangers on a Train
| image =Strangers_on_a_Train_(play).jpg
| image_alt =
| caption =2013 production poster
| writer = Craig Warner
| chorus =
| characters =
| mute =
| setting =
| premiere ={{Start date|df=yes|2013|11|2}}
| place =Gielgud Theatre
| orig_lang =
| series =
| subject =
| genre =Thriller
}}
Strangers on a Train is a play written by Craig Warner and is based on the 1950 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. The show made its West End and world premiere at the Gielgud Theatre on 19 November 2013, following previews from 2 November.
Production history
Strangers on a Train is a thriller written by Craig Warner, based on the 1950 novel Strangers on a Train{{cite magazine|first=Susanna|last=Lazarus| url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-09-21/fatal-attraction-and-strangers-on-a-train-headed-for-the-west-end-stage | title=Fatal Attraction and Strangers On A Train headed for the West End stage | magazine=Radio Times | date=21 September 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}} written by Patricia Highsmith.{{cite web | url=http://london.broadway.com/buzz/173191/boardwalk-empires-jack-huston-on-his-famous-family-murderous-role-in-londons-strangers-on-a-train/ | title=Boardwalk Empire's Jack Huston on His Famous Family & Murderous Role in London's Strangers on a Train | website=Broadway.Com | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}} Officially confirmed on 20 September 2013,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24172568 | title=Fatal Attraction and Strangers On A Train head to West End stage | website=BBC News | date=20 September 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}} the play began previews on 2 November 2013,{{cite web | url=http://www.playbill.com/events/event_detail/25914-Strangers-on-a-Train-at-Gielgud-Theatre | title=Strangers on a Train | magazine=Playbill | accessdate=16 January 2014}} before making its world premiere at the Gielgud Theatre on 19 November,{{cite web | url=http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/backstage-pass/video/article/item201609/new-strangers-on-a-train-trailer/ | title=New Strangers on a Train Trailer | publisher=Official London Theatre | work=officiallondontheatre.co.uk | date=31 October 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}} booking until 22 February 2014.{{cite web | url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/11-2013/opening-strangers-on-a-train-eric-and-little-ern-a_32669.html | title=Opening: Strangers on a Train, Eric and Little Ern and In the Next Room or the vibrator play | website=Whats On Stage | date=18 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}} The production is directed by Robert Allan Ackerman,{{cite web | url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2013/09/laurence-fox-jack-huston-cast-strangers-train-gielgud/ | title=Laurence Fox and Jack Huston cast in Strangers on a Train at Gielgud | magazine=The Stage| date=20 September 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}} produced by Barbara Broccoli, with design by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Tim Lutkin, sound by Avgoustas Psillas, projection design by Peter Wilms and costumes by Dona Granata.{{cite web | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/182363-Strangers-on-a-Train-Based-on-Novel-to-Star-Laurence-Fox-and-Jack-Huston-at-Londons-Gielgud-Theatre | title=Strangers on a Train, Based on Novel, to Star Laurence Fox and Jack Huston at London's Gielgud Theatre | magazine=Playbill | date=20 September 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117035030/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/182363-Strangers-on-a-Train-Based-on-Novel-to-Star-Laurence-Fox-and-Jack-Huston-at-Londons-Gielgud-Theatre | archivedate=17 January 2014 }} Casting for the production included Laurence Fox as Guy,{{cite news| url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/acting-dynasties-collide-in-revival-of-thriller-strangers-on-a-train-8883334.html | title=Acting dynasties collide in revival of thriller Strangers on a Train | newspaper=London Evening Standard | date=16 October 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}} Jack Huston as Bruno, Christian McKay as Gerard, Miranda Raison as Anne, Imogen Stubbs as Elsie and MyAnna Buring as Miriam.{{cite web | url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/171905/strangers-on-a-train-will-roll-onto-the-west-end-starring-laurence-fox-and-jack-huston/ | title=Strangers on a Train Will Roll Onto the West End Starring Laurence Fox and Jack Huston | website=broadway.com | accessdate=16 January 2014}} A typical West End performance runs for two and a half hours, including one interval.{{cite web | url=http://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/Tickets/StrangersOnATrain/StrangersOnATrain_GroupsEducation.asp | title=Strangers on a Train | website=Delfont Mackintosh | accessdate=16 January 2014}}
Roles and original cast
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" | Character
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Original West End performer{{cite web | url=http://strangersonatrainlondon.com/cast/ | title=The Cast | publisher=Strangers on a Train (play) | work=strangersonatrainlondon.com | accessdate=16 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/Tickets/StrangersOnATrain/StrangersOnATrain.asp | title=Strangers On A Train | publisher=Delfont Mackintosh | work=delfontmackintosh.co.uk | accessdate=16 January 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140116214039/http://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/Tickets/StrangersOnATrain/StrangersOnATrain.asp | archivedate=16 January 2014 }} |
|---|
| scope="row" |Guy Haines
| align="center" colspan="1"|Laurence Fox |
| scope="row" |Bruno Anthony
| align="center" colspan="1"|Jack Huston |
| scope="row" |Gerard
| align="center" colspan="1"|Christian McKay |
| scope="row" |Anne Faulkner
| align="center" colspan="1"|Miranda Raison |
| scope="row" |Elsie Anthony
| align="center" colspan="1"|Imogen Stubbs |
| scope="row" |Miriam Haines
| align="center" colspan="1"|MyAnna Buring |
| scope="row" |Faulkner
| align="center" colspan="1"|Tim Ahern |
| scope="row" |Treacher
| align="center" colspan="1"|Nick Malinowski |
| scope="row" |Ralph
| align="center" colspan="1"|Alastair Natkiel |
| scope="row" |Dr Swan
| align="center" colspan="1"|Scott Sparrow |
| scope="row" |Myers
| align="center" colspan="1"|Tam Williams |
| scope="row" |Porter/Reporter
| align="center" colspan="1"|Luke Beattie |
| scope="row" |Company
| align="center" colspan="1"|Matt Andrews |
| scope="row" |Company
| align="center" colspan="1"|Antony Jardine |
| scope="row" |Company
| align="center" colspan="1"|Anna O'Byrne |
| scope="row" |Company
| align="center" colspan="1"|Pippa Winslow |
Critical reception
The West End production of Strangers on a Train received positive reviews from critics.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25015642 | title=Strangers on a Train stage production thrills critics | publisher=BBC News | work=bbc.co.uk/news | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/showbiz/444164/Strangers-on-a-Train-grips-theatre-critics | title=Strangers on a Train grips theatre critics | publisher=Daily Express | work=scottishdailyexpress.co.uk | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/nov/20/strangers-on-a-train-review | title=Strangers On A Train review | work=The Guardian | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10463370/Strangers-on-a-Train-Gielgud-Theatre-review.html | title=Strangers on a Train is grippingly unpleasant stuff and heralds the return of the successful thriller in the West End | publisher=The Telegraph | work=telegraph.co.uk | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/theatre/strangers-train-gielgud-theatre | title=Highsmith's psychological thriller pulls into the West End, with a little 'Hitch' still on board | publisher=The Arts Desk | work=theartsdesk.com | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/strangers-on-a-train-theatre-review-8951595.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/strangers-on-a-train-theatre-review-8951595.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Strangers On A Train: Theatre review | publisher=The Independent | work=independent.co.uk | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=16 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/6fc81e1c-51cf-11e3-adfa-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3A0thqKiw | title=Craig Warner's play is powerful and compelling | publisher=Financial Times | work=ft.com | date=20 November 2013 | accessdate=10 August 2014}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Facebook|strangersonatrainplay}}
- {{Twitter}}
Category:Detective, mystery and crime plays