Theatre Review: The Girl on the Train

What is the role of a thriller? To engage an audience with a constant sense of suspense, unease and intrigue - without explicit, gory violence. And, until its climax, the stage version of The Girl on the Train, walks this line well.

Giovanna Fletcher, self-described on her Instagram as ‘actress, author, mum’, stars as Rachel, the troubled alcoholic ex-wife of fellow protagonist Tom, played by Jason Merrells. Perhaps more down-to-earth and relatable than the character in the film equivalent, played by Hollywood superstar Emily Blunt, Fletcher is brilliant at depicting the role of the addicted, slightly unhinged and deeply troubled amateur sleuth - obsessed with her former partner and his neighbours, who she spies on daily from her train window.

This was the first night of this much-anticipated show at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal - and it was noticeable how gripped our fellow audience members remained throughout. What was surprising, and what set the stage version apart from the book and the film, is that a level of humour was sustained throughout - one-liners from Rachel being the main source.

I really ‘bought in’ to the detective character, a sympathetic if  exasperated man who is determined to see a case through to its conclusion. Played by Paul McEwan, writer Rachel Wagstaff has written the role cleverly as part of her reimagining of the bestselling book by Paula Hawkins. Brought to life by the excellent stage design that incorporates physical and digital elements to blur the themes of imagination, desire and reality that power the narrative.

If we had one criticism, we’d say Girl on the Train is a little too gory and sensationalist at the end - causing the intrigue levels to drop somewhat. Though all in all, The Girl on the Train is well worth a watch - especially for thriller fans.

The Girl on the Train plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal until Saturday 25 January 2025.