The Lady Vanishes
Adaptation: Derek Webb
Director: Emily Saint Smith
Genesian Theatre, Rozelle
June 21 – July 26, 2025
This brilliantly staged production of The Lady Vanishes immerses the audience in a thriller aboard a train, a suspenseful environment that never fails to delight. Whilst the story was popularised by the Hitchcock film of the same name, this adaptation stays closer to Ethel Lina White’s original 1936 novel The Wheel Spins.
On her return home from Europe, English socialite Iris Carr (Joss Chalmers) strikes up a friendship with an unassuming governess Miss Froy (Penny Day). Iris awakes from a brief nap to find Miss Froy has vanished without a trace. What’s more, the other passengers on the train deny ever meeting her. With the other passengers questioning Iris’s sanity, and time running out before they reach their destination of Trieste, Iris remains determined to uncover the truth.
Aided by fellow passengers Max (Jono Lukins) and the Professor (Ron Ringer), Iris races against the clock to find Miss Froy. Along the way, a cast of quirky characters, ranging from the stern doctor (Gabriel Jab’bar) to the tardy waiter (Anastasia Vokhmyakov), thwart their every move. What follows is a hilarious and frantic search.
The audience gets caught up in the escalating tension thanks to the exceptional set design. Director Emily Saint Smith has used sliding doors to great effect, effortlessly transforming the train carriages into a claustrophobic train corridor with seamless transitions. The sliding doors part to reveal train carriages that are rendered in sumptuous detail, a testament to the craftsmanship of set construction by Peter Curtis. The lighting (Cian Byrne) and sound design (Kate Stewart) further amplify the sense of urgency, creating an atmosphere of foreboding as the train hurtles toward its destination.
Physical theatre plays a significant role in the production, particularly in scenes where characters navigate the narrow train corridors, emphasising the play’s claustrophobic setting. Saint-Smith’s comedic direction is largely successful, but there are moments when the humour slightly detracts from the pacing.
Jono Lukins delivers a standout performance as the flirtatious Max Hare, bringing a nuanced portrayal full of charm and humour. Sandra Bass is equally captivating as Rose Flood-Porter, channelling a Marplesque energy with impeccable timing, and Brooke Ryan excels as the unlikeable Mrs Barnes capturing the exquisite absurdity of her character.
This adaptation is a hilarious romp – a perfect blend of comedy and thriller. It is wonderful to see the Genesian Theatre thriving in their new location.
