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Don't Look Now

 
Paul T. Davies Review by Paul T. Davies 3 Published: 14 Oct 2025 New Wolsey Theatre Show Dates: 4 Oct 2025-11 Nov 2025

One of the most famous psychological dramas for over fifty years, thanks to the powerful 1973 film, Daphne du Maurier’s original short story Don’t Look Now is the source and inspiration for this adaptation.

A very watchable production

John and Laura return to Venice, where they spent their honeymoon, to the same room in the same hotel. But in the ten years since then, they have lost their daughter, and the blame and grief are still palpable. A pair of mysterious sisters – one a psychic – see the child with them and warn the couple to leave Venice. A killer also stalks the city, and when John doesn’t leave, it is revealed that he too is psychic, haunted by his own visions.

This production has much to admire, particularly in its atmospheric staging, but it never raises the stakes enough to become genuinely disturbing. Although not a ghost story, it lacks enough jumps and twists, and at 100 minutes without an interval, it is slightly too long for such a slim, predictable story.

The cast work hard, not least in appearing in multiple spotlights at multiple points on the set. Mark Jackson skilfully conveys John’s trauma and breakdown, and Sophie Robinson really captures Laura, desperately trying to keep her defences in place after her world has shattered. They have to contend with some clunky dialogue; for example, Laura’s final speech points out the obvious in an awkward summary.

Alex Bulmer is excellent as psychic Sister 2 and makes an effective duo with Olivia Carruthers. The rest of the cast multi-roll with skill, although some of the Italian accents make diction a little incoherent.

As the narrative builds, it remains a little too polite – a little too “English”. Some uncontrolled despair could have broken through. The adaptation is quite traditional, and a more radical staging could have revealed greater depth.

There is no denying, however, that this is a very watchable production. The lighting design by Jessie Addinall is powerful in its atmospheric intentions and is complemented perfectly by Jess Curtis’s set and costumes, and Daniel Denton’s video design.

Fans of drama like this will leave satisfied, left to ponder who – and what – is the killer that stalks the couple.

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The Blurb:

A spine-tingling supernatural thriller - the must-see event in Ipswich this Autumn.

Venice holds their past but something darker awaits. Premonitions. Visions. A sinister force is closing in.

To escape their grief, a couple returns to Venice, where they once honeymooned, hoping the past might comfort them – but the city has other plans.

As eerie visions take hold and the line between the living and the dead begins to blur, they find themselves pursued by a sinister presence through a labyrinth of fear. Fate is closing in – can they escape what’s already destined?

From the author of Rebecca and The Birds, and adapted by award-winning playwright Nell Leyshon, Don’t Look Now is a spine-chilling descent into grief, guilt and the terrifying power of premonition.

Dare to look. Just don’t look now.

There will be a post-show talk on Thu 23 Oct. This your chance to stay after the show and ask any questions you have to the cast and creatives, and should last around 20 minutes.