Theatre Royal Brighton – Wednesday 4th – Saturday 7th June 2025
4 stars
The Girl on the Train makes a moody and gripping stop at Theatre Royal Brighton this week, offering up a stylish slice of psychological drama with a modern edge.
Based on Paula Hawkins’ hit novel, the play taps into themes of obsession, trauma and blurred memory, all told through the hazy lens of a woman whose life has come off the rails, quite literally.
In the lead role of Rachel Watson is Laura Whitmore, familiar to many as a presenter from Love Island and BBC Radio 5 Live. On stage, though, she sheds her TV persona completely. As Rachel, she captures the character’s deep flaws without smoothing them over.
There’s a recklessness to her, but also an aching sadness, and Whitmore manages both with conviction. It’s a performance that shows us someone hanging on by a thread and not always knowing why.
The story unfolds as Rachel becomes entangled in the disappearance of a woman she’s been secretly watching from the window of her commuter train.
The set cleverly mirrors Rachel’s fractured sense of time and place, using projections and lighting to blur lines between memory, fantasy and reality. It’s disorienting in the best way, keeping the audience guessing right along with her.
The supporting cast bring nuance to a story full of shifting suspicions. Megan, the missing woman, is portrayed with depth and quiet intensity by Freya Parks. Ed Harrison as Rachel’s ex-husband Tom is unnervingly calm and Megan’s husband, played by Samuel Collings, adds a sharp edge to the already tense dynamic. Their scenes are some of the most unsettling.
There are moments where the pace falters slightly, but they’re few and far between. For the most part, this is a slick, well-staged production that makes the most of the material without relying on big set pieces or flashy effects.
Whether you’re new to the story or already know how it ends, The Girl on the Train still manages to pull you in and keep you hooked. It’s a smart, shadowy thriller with just enough heart to make it hit home.
