The Postman Always Rings Twice

Synopsis

James M. Cain's dark, atmospheric and tragic love story in its first ever theatrical staging, following two successful films. When Frank drifts into their roadside cafe, Greek immigrant Nick and his American wife Cora have no idea of the devastating effect he'll have on their lives. Frank and Cora begin a passionate affair that leads to murder and double-crossing. Age guide 15+. Contains moderate violence and scenes of a sexual nature

Our Review:

8 June 2005

There’s been one significant change since this stage version of The Postman Always Rings Twice premiered in Leeds last autumn and that's in the casting of Hollywood’s Val Kilmer, who makes his West End debut playing Frank Chambers.

Chambers is the man meant to be the catalyst for all of the story’s action. Upon his arrival at a 1930s roadside diner outside of Los Angeles, this sexy drifter rape/seduces the owner’s wife, conspires with her to murder her husband, bungles the crime, unwittingly betrays his lover to the police, contemplates a second murder… Well, I won’t reveal the whole plot (there’s quite a lot of it).

Suffice to say, Frank is a busily bad boy. Anyone familiar with aspects of Kilmer’s on and offscreen persona might imagine it was a part made for him (especially so since he grew up just a few miles from where the story takes place). However, his performance here seems driven by lazy, loose-limbed likeability rather than any inherent bad...

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Latest User Review

194.200.154.253) - 26 July 2005:

This is a play that has some serious defects, but which does have more redeeming features than flaws. The script is OK, although as I have not read James M Cain's novel it would be difficult to say more. Without doubt Andrew Rattenbury's adaptation does rattle along at a good pace. The quiet scenes with little dialogue have their own power, showing the solitude of a roadside diner between busy periods. Whilst Val Kilmer and Charlotte Emerson will get the praise they deserve, it is Joe Alessi who turns in the best performance. His ambitious Nick in Act 1 is complimented by a truly devious turn as Katz in Act 2. With good support from the rest of the company, the performance side is worth the ticket price. I suppose my major gripe is with the set. Whilst the main acting area of the Diner/courtroom is fine, the scenes on the top level are somewhat messy. In particular, the bathroom sits there for most of Act 1 and all it seems to do is obscure the sign behind it. The Car crash is handled well but leaving it onstage throughout Act 2 is annoying, especially when actors have to duck underneath it when moving on and off stage. It almost appears as if it is there because they can do it. ...

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