"slightly melodramatic, and occasionally unintentionally comedic"
Single White Female (Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Just back from seeing Single White Female at Woking — and I have to say, I have mixed feelings.
I was really looking forward to it. I remember the film from years ago and loved the psychological tension, so I was curious to see how it would translate to the stage. The atmosphere was definitely there — the lighting and sound design created some genuinely eerie moments, and you could feel the audience leaning in during the more intense scenes. There were points where the suspense simmered beautifully, and the claustrophobic feel of the set really helped build that sense of unease.
However… I didn’t quite connect with the acting. For me, some of the performances felt a little forced, and it made it harder to fully believe in the friendship-turned-obsession dynamic at the heart of the story. In a psychological drama you really need that chemistry and subtlety, and at times it just didn’t land. A few emotional beats felt rushed, which meant the shift from companionship to fixation didn’t feel as gradual or as unsettling as it could have been. There were moments that should have felt more chilling but came across slightly melodramatic, and occasionally unintentionally comedic, which took me out of the tension rather than drawing me deeper into it.
What did, however, connect with me personally as a mum was the daughter’s role and her reactions to her mother. At times it genuinely triggered me into thinking I was watching my own life and how I try to navigate the joys of social media and the daily drama that comes with teenagers! That thread of the story felt authentic and surprisingly relatable, adding a layer of modern relevance that grounded the more heightened psychological elements.
I do admire the ambition of adapting such a well-known film for the stage- it’s not an easy thing to do, especially when audiences inevitably bring strong memories and expectations with them. Translating that kind of cinematic tension into a live setting is a challenge, and there were clear moments where the production showed real creativity and boldness in trying to make it work.
It wasn’t terrible by any means- just not quite as gripping as I’d hoped. That said, there’s always something special about live theatre and the shared experience of sitting in a room full of people, collectively holding your breath. Even when it doesn’t completely hit the mark, that sense of immediacy and connection is something you simply can’t replicate anywhere else
★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 by Melanie Myers
Photo Credit: Chris Bishop
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
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