The opening of this production at Richmond Theatre, originally from the Birmingham Hippodrome, is promising. The second Mrs de Winter is alone by the sea as she utters that memorable first line: Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again. Then the music changes and Mrs Danvers appears almost out of the sea. It presents quite a chilling image and an ominous foreshadowing of events. But I'm afraid it lets itself down after that. It's hard to imagine that anyone doesn't know Daphne du Maurier's wonderful story, but just in case, I'm afraid I would have to advise them to go and see Hitchcock's film and not this play. It is perhaps unfair to compare any stage production with a Hitchcock film but in this instance it is also impossible not to.
      If you do know the story, then this production is entertaining enough in its own way but it does not stand up as a great play. The fault lies in great part with the script. It is not clear to me whether Frank McGuinness adapted this version from the novel or from du Maurier's own stage-play but it has a dated feeling to it which the film (with Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, adapted by Philip MacDonald) does not. The first half seems a little rushed and if one didn't know the story, I would think confusing. Although there are some funny exchanges which are not in the film, I think they occasionally detract rather than add to the substance. Audiences these days seem to require laughs every time they go to the theatre but I wish directors wouldn't feel obliged to give in to this annoying phenomenon.
      But it is certainly not only the script which is lacking. Maureen Beattie as Mrs Danvers looks almost the spitting image of Judith Anderson in the film but she doesn't have her menace. At least not in the first act - she does nearly come into her own in the second half. Nigel Havers as Maxim de Winter is not brooding enough, although he has the charm down pat and some of the tender moments are nicely done. But I never felt he was tortured. One has to believe he is in agony over the death of Rebecca, but he seemed only mildly irritated.
      Amanda Waldy as Beatrice seemed to be trying just a little too hard, as did Guy Williams as Jack Favell. They had many of the right elements but seemed to be in a different production, one, unfortunately, with more than a hint of amateur dramatics about it. The absence of any real set also added to the difficulties of the cast in producing the feel of the great house. When Mrs de Winter comes down the stairs to surprise her husband in her costume for the fancy dress ball - a scene that should be full of tension - there is no staircase and no crowd watching her. When Mrs Danvers tortures her in Rebecca's room there are no beautiful clothes, no window and no sea below. All this shouldn't necessarily matter if it is conjured up well enough. But I wasn't convinced.
      On balance though, I would not say that the entire production was a failure. It is still a great story, the acting in general is fine and there were moments when I was involved and touched. If one is looking for a pleasant, untaxing evening at the theatre then this Rebecca does have something to offer.
Francine Brody