Review: Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith At The Alma Tavern Theatre

Misplaced Theatre takes us from comedy to darkness with this riveting psychological horror

Switzerland, is the place American novelist Patricia Highsmith spent the final years of her life. She lived somewhat reclusively in the mountains, nature’s own dentist’s waiting room.

Highsmith was the author of over 22 novels. Most notably, Strangers on a Train, The Price of Salt and The Talented Mr. Ripley – the last of which formed the first of the “Ripliad” series of novels.

A ferociously intelligent woman full of contradictions, she could be offensive, racist, antisocial and both gay and homophobic. She was also utterly brilliant at keeping readers in suspense as a writer of psychological thrillers. All of the key components of her personality feature unapologetically in Joanna Murray-Smith’s play.

The final three days of her life reimagined is the focus of Switzerland. The two-hander play very much mirrors the literary world of Highsmith. It’s a psychological horror, a slow-burn story of intrigue and mystery as it draws towards its end. Despite the darkness, there is plenty of comedy, particularly her butting of heads with Edward Ridgeway.

He is a gauche young man sent from her American publishing company in New York. He has come for an in-person meeting to persuade her to write one final Ripley story. He desperately needs her to sign his contract before he can leave. She refuses to do this unless he can come up with the perfect murder in her own style to finish a story concocted between them.

Purveyors of thrillers, horrors and psychological dramas will likely work out where the story will end up during the first 20 minutes. The clues are there and the writing pretty much has Stephen King’s The Dark Half all over it.

Switzerland is both a fun and dark piece of theatre which Misplaced handles with ease. The dressy set gives a strong sense of Highsmith’s personality and where she is in her life.

Claudia Wicki plays Patricia Highsmith and she has really done her research for this part. She perfectly captures the complexity of Highsmith’s personality. Her eccentricity. Her biting and acerbic wit delivered between cigarettes and scotch.

Louie Wanless is Edward Ridgeway, who attempts to stand his ground against the domineering Highsmith. His youthfulness irritates her. He represents the changing face of New York. The passing of time. Diners replaced with romaine lettuce lunches. Caffe lattes. Gentrification.

It’s a battle of words between them. Ridgeway remains unrelenting until a common ground through weaponry is discovered. This is where the power and dynamics in the piece start to shift and it’s a lot of fun to watch. Wanless is startling in his metamorphosis as the tension burns.

It’s always a delicious moment when audiences are confronted with challenging moments on stage. You can feel the energy in the auditorium. There are plenty of intense and uncomfortable moments throughout Act 2. As the play begins to reach its climax, part of the revelations that come is the realisation as an audience that you’ve been had. You’ve been watching some really good acting. To say more would be spoilers. This is a play best enjoyed without previous knowledge.

Billie Jo-Rainbird’s lighting emphasizes the growing horror and creeping darkness perfectly.

Animated videography by Jordan Davies and Harrison Thorne adds an interesting dynamic to the storytelling. Like the illustrations in a picture story book.

Misplaced Theatre have brought a really thrilling production to the stage. Two fantastic actors and some pacy direction make this the perfect live thriller.

Stop the fruitless search for something new on Netflix because this is what you want to watch tonight.

Switzerland will be at the Alma Tavern Theatre in Bristol until Saturday 12 April 2025

It will then go to The Mission Theatre in Bath 15 – 17 April 2025

For more information or to book for the Alma Tavern Theatre: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/1483767?

For more information or to book for The Mission Theatre Bath: https://www.missiontheatre.co.uk/whats-on/2025/switzerland

For more information about Misplaced Theatre: https://wearemisplaced.com/

Cast and Creatives
Claudia Wicki
Louie Wanless

Director – Tara Lacey
Lighting and Sound – Billie Jo-Rainbird
Design – Anita Gander
Videography – Jordan Davies and Harrison Thorne
Produced by Misplaced Theatre – Amy Tanner and Ciaran Corsar
Photography – Jordan Davies @jgdphotography

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