Everyone knows the Fatal Attraction story. Even years after the 1987 film stormed on to the scene you’ll still hear young men and women occasionally utter “watch her, she’s a bunny boiler”.
Now that the stage-adaptation has hit theatre land, it’s pretty much become a safe bet for theatre-goers. Why ‘um’ and ‘ah’ over whether to watch the 39 Steps when you can opt for something you know will be deliciously thrilling?
Fatal Attraction is hardly a groundbreaking theatrical feat and hardened performing arts fans will – and quite rightly so – take the stage adaptation as a living, breathing version of the film. Because that is purely what it is.
But don’t let that predictability put you off if you’re looking for the ultimate revenge thriller, because the cast truly bring the story to life.
Kristin Davis is perfect as the unsuspecting wife, bringing that sweet, motherly Charlotte charm straight from SATC. She becomes a static and safe background character, but that doesn’t detract from the fact she’s always in the audiences’ mind. In fact it’s just that sweet, supporting role that builds the play to dramatic heights. The audience are simply waiting for everything to be brutally unveiled.
Mark Bazeley steps into Micheal Douglas’s original shoes as the leading man, Dan Gallagher, and manages to put on a great show of emotion throughout the play. The audience are left chastising him for his stupidity yet extending their pity for his impossible situation. It’s a great rollercoaster for both cast and audience.
Natascha McElhone’s portrayal of Alex Forest is just as off-the-rails as viewers will be hoping. She comes across as independent, lonely, obsessed, rational and unstable not only throughout the duration of the play, but throughout the duration of 15 minutes. Some of her feats genuinely shocked the audience too, there was blood drawn and even those of us far up in the royal circle could see it glistening.
“I’m not gonna be ignored Dan!”
The storyline follows the same pattern as the film, with many of the classic lines “I’m not gonna be ignored Dan!” speckled throughout the play. The build-up was similar if a little rushed, but the overall effect wasn’t spoilt, with the thriller that the billboards promise really coming into its own.
Writing for the Guardian, Michael Billington poses the question “Did the West End really need a stage adaptation of this cautionary tale of corporate New York adultery..?”. In truth, no, it didn’t. But that doesn’t stop it being as enjoyable as The Full Money, Matilda and all of the other successful films-come- plays.
Yes the script and scenes have pretty much been pulled straight over from the film, but for a great Saturday night out with a stellar cast, not one member of the packed out audience seemed to be complaining.
It isn’t original but it is a firm favourite that can just about justify a stage adaptation. If you’ve got a theatre bucket list going strong then it probably isn’t for you. But if you loved the film then give it a go over the Easter break. No bunnies were harmed during production, we promise.
Looking for inspiration? Visit our portfolio to find out more about our stage lighting installation projects at the Redhouse Arts Complex and Liverpool Screen School.