A Gripping, Stylish Thriller with Standout Performances

A Gripping, Stylish Thriller with Standout Performances

“Once again, the Liverpool Playhouse proves it knows exactly how to deliver high-quality drama — a fantastic production that’s well worth the watch.”

Single White Female at the Liverpool Playhouse delivers a tense, engaging night of theatre that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The cast is excellent across the board, featuring Kim Marsh, Lisa Faulkner, Andro, Jonny McGarrity and Amy Snudden. Each brings something unique, creating a strong ensemble that keeps the story grounded and believable.

Lisa Faulkner is outstanding as Allie, delivering a performance full of warmth, strength and vulnerability. You truly feel her struggle as a mother trying to do her best for her teenage daughter while juggling the pressures of work, relationships and the increasingly unsettling situation unfolding around her. She plays the role with a natural ease that makes Allie instantly relatable — and as the tension builds, so does her performance, shifting from calm and composed to anxious and emotionally stretched without ever losing authenticity.

Kim Marsh is equally impressive as Hedy, giving a performance that is both captivating and deeply unsettling. From her first moments on stage there’s an intensity about her, but it’s the slow transformation that really stands out. She carefully builds the character layer by layer, until that simmering unease turns into something far more unhinged. By the second half, her presence is electric — unpredictable, powerful and impossible to ignore. It’s a performance that commands attention and stays with you long after the curtain falls.

Amy Snudden is brilliant as Bella, Allie’s daughter, who is dealing with bullying at school and the pressures of social media — something many in the audience will recognise. Her scenes with Lisa Faulkner feel genuine and grounded, and she brings moments of humour that land perfectly, giving the audience a chance to breathe amid the tension.

Liverpool actor Andro deserves a special mention as Graham, Allie’s business partner. He pulls off a convincing American accent and brings plenty of lighter moments to the production — particularly with his sharp, witty jabs about weight loss injections and Allie’s ex-husband. Jonny McGarrity also delivers a strong performance as the ex, adding another layer to the unfolding drama.

From early on, there’s an uneasy atmosphere as manipulation begins to surface — subtle at first, but building steadily beneath the surface. The clever use of flashbacks adds depth, slowly revealing past events and layering the tension beautifully.

The second half is where everything truly escalates. The tension ramps up, the twists come thick and fast, and the violence finally enters the story — shocking and intense, but handled in a way that keeps you completely engaged rather than overwhelmed. You find yourself on the edge of your seat right until the end.

The technical side of the production deserves huge praise. The lighting is used brilliantly to heighten key moments, while the sound effects and carefully chosen music add another layer of tension and atmosphere throughout. Together, they create some genuinely shocking moments — with a few points that had the audience jumping in their seats.