Fatal Attraction At Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury Review

Reviewed by Sandra McGhee

I was very happy to be chosen and invited to the press opening night for the above play on behalf of What’s Good To Do last night. I remember seeing it advertised last Autumn and thought that looks a good one to see after seeing the film back in 1987 which was a worldwide hit and shocked audiences back then.

Upon entering the reception foyer it was a delight to see so many people out and about again. All the staff were welcoming and friendly as usual.

I remember seeing Fatal Attraction the American film many moons ago so some of my memory was a bit sketchy but before I knew it, all came back to me on what an impressive psychological thriller this was back then starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close.

To give a quick synopsis of the play in a few words all I can say is wow, a great evening of entertainment! You will not be disappointed. The play showed the story of an obsessed woman who picked up a happily married man at a bar and then causing chaos, stalking him and saying she loved him after only spending a couple of days with him.

The play very cleverly replicated the film written by James Dearden. The opening scene set in New York was starring Oliver Farnworth as Dan sitting on a sofa working on his laptop and telling his wife Beth (Louise Redknapp) why he couldn’t leave the city for the weekend and join her and their daughter to view a new house in the country and stay with the Mother-In-Law due to work commitments using as an excuse as you didn’t see him doing much work. Dan decided to ring a friend Jimmy (John Macaulay who I thought was brilliant and had great character) and meet for a drink, his friend suggested this new trendy bar. This is how it all began Dan meeting Alex (Susie Amy) and made the wrong choice being unfaithful to his wife, little did he know what a bad choice that was and paid the price for it. There were some raunchy bedroom scenes and each further scene illustrated the film. Some good one liners that made the audience laugh and also some shocking scenes showing Alex self-harm clearly showing she was suffering with severe mental health issues. The play certainly kept a more up to date theme introducing technology, emails, referring to Whatsapp, Facebook etc. A great scene and effects where Alex decides to boil the family pet bunny, very clever. Music from Madame Butterfly was powerful and caught the audience gripping to their seats. Great sets and scenery and all in all great acting who all played their parts very convincingly. It was like watching the film but live, very cleverly written and with a completely different ending to the film which I didn’t expect and was in shock got you thinking who was the victim in all this! Very conflicting emotions at the end.

A great twist with repeat of the first bar scene like a sliding door moment of how things could have been different if Dan hadn’t been chatted up by Alex who was very dangerous and destructive. He certainly regretted that silly choice with all the harassment and stalking that followed. I would imagine anyone going to see this will not be disappointed and might make them think twice before trusting someone a stranger with going back to theirs!

Rating: 4.5/5

On until Saturday 9th April 2022 tickets from £13 (booking fee £3.65)

For more information or to book tickets visit Fatal Attraction Tickets | Aylesbury Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury | ATG Tickets.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Bucks, HP20 1UG