Santi Parra-Whitehead reviews ‘a gripping ride’.
Ten years since the launch of Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel, Loveday Ingram’s theatre adaptation of The Girl on the Train has pulled up in Glasgow. Is it a first-class seat? Or are we in for a trainwreck?
Former I’m A Celebrity winner Giovanna Fletcher stars as Rachel, a damaged dipsomaniac who, following a messy divorce, develops a jealous obsession with Megan, a woman she watches and stalks from the window of a moving train. When Megan mysteriously disappears, Rachel is suspected of her murder.
The play largely stays faithful to the novel; it’s still set in the stifling suburbia of southern England, and the core plot devices remain unscathed. Alas, the innovative three-person narrative has been dumped in favour of a linear “whodunit” format. Whilst it works well, it loses out on some of the creative magic which made the novel stand out.
That aside, this is a gripping ride. The sharp acting and broad character development perfectly captures middle-class malaise and the relentless torture of controlling relationships. The minimalist set design, strobing lights and the ethereal soundtrack courtesy of Luther composer, Paul Englishby, creates a suitably nauseous, acerbic and overburdening world.
If you are a fan of the book, turn away at the ticket barrier. But if you’re on the lookout for a gritty, provocative drama rich with emotional depth, get on board now.
The Girl on the Train has ended its run at Glasgow’s Royal Theatre. It continues its UK tour throughout the year, with another Scottish performance at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen from June 24-28, 2025.
Photo by Pamela Raith.
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