I must be in a very small minority of the population who hasn't seen Glenn Close's Oscar nominated portrayal of Alex Forrest in the big screen version of Fatal Attraction. The film was released in 1987 and was the second highest grossing film of the year in the United States.
Based on that motion picture, James Dearden’s new stage play of Fatal Attraction, brings the definitive movie thriller to the UK stage. Starring British pop and TV sensation Kym Marsh (Coronation Street) as the iconic Alex Forrest alongside another soap favourite, Oliver Farnworth (Coronation Street) as Dan Gallagher and Footballer’s Wives siren Susie Amy, as Beth Gallagher.
When a happily married New York attorney Dan Gallagher, meets charming editor Alex on a night out in the city, they both commit to a night of passion they can’t take back. Dan returns home to his family and tries to forget the mistake he has made - but Alex has different ideas.
Dan’s about to discover that love is a dangerous game and very quickly he learns that Alex has only one rule; you play fair with her, and she’ll play fair with you.
The overall company is small but perfectly formed, with just eight performers on stage throughout the evening. However such is the almost chameleon-like nature of the ensemble, it feels like a much greater number.
Marsh excels as our lead protagonist, with an emotionally driven spectacle of a performance, supported beautifully by her leading man. Their chemistry on stage is phenomenal and every action is met with gasps of shock from the audience. Fatal Attraction deals with some hard hitting issues - manipulation, self-harm and domestic violence to name but a few - however both Marsh and Farnworth's portrayals are hard-hitting and have a realism which allows them to be tactfully considered.
This isn't a watered down version of the plot, nor does it make light of situations with 'comedy' slaps. To avoid any confusion, when the advisory for the production stipulates that this isn't for the faint hearted, they're not over-exaggerating. However it's that sense of realism which gives the piece, and its performers, an air of credibility which is needed.
Credit should also go to the stage and lighting design as well as a round of applause to the sound team too. This is immersive, all consuming and, at times, renders the audience silent. There are definitely laugh-out-loud moments, but credit to the cast and creative team for an excellent interpretation of the movie which is a truly exceptional piece of theatre.
Fatal Attraction runs at The Alexandra until Saturday 5th March. For more information, or to get your tickets, head online to atgtickets.com/birmingham.
