Fancy a game of charades?  OK, five words. First it was a book. Then a film. And now a play.  What could it be? A mystery, isn’t it? Yes, yes! – you’re getting warm...Give up? Well, it’s called The Girl On The Train and the play has recently been at the Salisbury Playhouse.

 And is it worth seeing? Well, let me give you some clues.

First of all, I’ve never read the book, but Mrs Reviewer has seen the film, which had such an impact on her that all she remembers is that Emily Blunt was in it. Fair enough – I try to forget any film starring Emily Blunt, too. This play, though, is clearly better than the film I’ve never seen, because I haven’t forgotten the plot. And because Emily Blunt isn’t in it.

It tells the story of Rachel, an alcoholic who travels to work each day on the train, armed with her trusty Thermos of Smirnoff, and watches the world go by outside. She becomes obsessed with a  couple she sees until, one day, the lady is no longer there.

Blotto again next morning, Rachel’s woken by the police, who are trying to find the whereabouts of this missing lady. Has Rachel seen her? Does she know her? No. Yes.  Perhaps. She can’t remember – the booze is her alibi and her enemy, but before you can say “’Ello, ‘ello, ello, what ‘ave we ‘ere?” we’re into a full-blown murder mystery, where Rachel is both suspect and key witness.

It’s a convoluted plot, but slowly it unfurls as the characters develop. Joanna van Kampen is excellent as Rachel – I always feel that the sign of a good performance is when you find yourself caring about the character, and you certainly care about Rachel; she’s irritating, creepy and you detest her, but also feel sympathy for her shambolic life.

Performances from the other actors are humdrum by comparison, but their shortcomings are veiled somewhat by the ingenious set. Now, we’re used to special effects on film, but to see such imaginative tricks on stage is quite something and was the talk of many as the audience left the theatre. And as the play reaches its climax, the set has one final piece de resistance – utterly fabulous.

So, did Rachel murder the missing lady? Well, one last charade. Three words. Whole thing: Go. See. It.

Chris Parkinson-Brown