The Girl on the Train UK and Ireland Tour Review

For a story filled with obsession, betrayal, and disappearance, The Girl on the Train doesn’t always find its full dramatic steam, but there are moments of intrigue and atmosphere that shine through thanks to strong technical craft and committed performances.

⭐⭐⭐

Rachel, played with a Dublin-tinged accent by Laura Whitmore, spends much of the play in a drunken haze. While this is central to the character in both the novel and film, the staging in Act I sometimes struggles to build the tension that the story promises with very limited set pieces. Even so, Whitmore leans into the role with commitment, and her performance grows in strength during Act II, where some of her choices bring new energy and nuance. I wondered if this was more down to the book, written by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel. At times, I found myself wondering whether the story might have felt even sharper as a one-act play.

Flashbacks are used to add context, though they occasionally interrupt the flow instead of heightening the suspense. That said, there are standout moments, particularly a striking Act II monologue from Freya Parks who brings plenty of depth to Megan. Paul McEwan as the detective performs well also, brings a well needed comedic relief to the stage.

Adapting a popular book and film for theatre is always a challenge, and here the stage version leans heavily on atmosphere. The design team deserve real credit: the inventive lighting, strong sound design, and well-executed visual effects create a moody world that captures the novel’s darker edges.

While the frequent scene changes sometimes blur together visually, the technical team maintain a consistent style that grounds the play’s shifting timelines.

Overall, this is a stylish and polished production that doesn’t always achieve the edge-of-your-seat suspense of the novel or film, but it still offers moments of drama, intensity, and strong individual performances.

Ticket Information for The Girl on The Train:

The Girl on the Train plays at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre until Saturday the 30th of August 2025. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/show/the-girl-on-the-train/

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Date of Review: 27 August 2025

Location: Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin.

Disclaimer: I was invited to this show on August 27th, 2025 in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and were not influenced by the invite.