Rep Theatre’s production will leave you on the edge of your seat

The new stage production ‘Switzerland’ by Joanna Murray-Smith is an exciting psychological thriller with suspense at every turn.

Some great news for local lovers of the arts with actors taking to the stage again after over 12 months of not treading the boards.

The Toowoomba’s Repertory Theatre will finally come alive again next week with the exciting psychological thriller Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith.

The compelling drama follows the fictional story of Patricia Highsmith, an American novelist most famous for her series of novels featuring career criminal, con artist and serial killer Tom Ripley.

Local actors Stewart Limpus and Bev Irwin-Taylor preparing for next week’s premiere of Switzerland a psychological three-act thriller surrounding the nonfictional tale of American author, Patricia Highsmith. Picture: Nev Madsen

Having been involved with the Rep Theatre since the late 1960s, veteran local actress Bev Irwin-Taylor plays the incredibly bitter and moody Mrs Highsmith, in what has been one of her most challenging roles to date.

“It’s certainly been a more difficult role to play, Patricia was certainly not a pleasant woman to be around most of the time and I tend to find myself taking on a little bit of my character more and more as rehearsals go on so I have found myself becoming quite short tempered and hard to be around at times,” she said.

Local actress Bev Irwin-Taylor will play American novelist Patricia Highsmith in the Toowoomba Repertory’s production of Switzerland, premiering next Wednesday. Picture: Nev Madsen

“But this is such an exciting opportunity as we have’t been able to have any productions go ahead for over a year now because of COVID so it’s fantastic to be back and making local theatre again.

“I think audience members will really enjoy the unexpected nature of this show, there’s great character and plot development throughout the three acts and Stewart and I are looking forward to the crowd’s reaction.”

The Rep Theatre's first production for the year, Switzerland starring local actors Stewart Limpus and Bev Irwin-Taylor is set to premiere next week. Picture: Nev Madsen

For 27-year-old Stewart Limpus the stage is a rather new experience, but he said he is enjoying the contrasting role his character, Edward Ridgeway presents.

“This is only my fourth time in a Rep Theatre production but it’s definitely one of the most involved and complex roles and I’ve really enjoyed the experience,” he said.

“Edward starts out as this meek, mild mannered young man from New York who works at Mrs Highsmith’s publishing company and he’s come to the Swiss Alps where she is holed up to convince her to write the final instalment of her best-selling Mr Ripley series.

Stewart Limpus will play Edward Ridgeway in the Rep theatre’s production of Switzerland by Joanna Murray Smith. Picture: Nev Madsen

“But as the play progresses you start to see him evolve and a power struggle between the two of them ensues.

“It’s been a really interesting production to be a part of and we’re hopeful Toowoomba comes out and gets behind the Rep again.”

“Especially after we weren’t able to go ahead with any productions during our 90th year last year which was a real shame,” Mrs Irwin-Taylor said.

The Rep Theatre's first production for the year, Switzerland starring local actors Bev Irwin-Taylor and Stewart Limpus. Picture: Nev Madsen

“It’s great to be back doing what we love and Switzerland is going to be a production that will have you on the edge of your seat, so we’re hoping the community come back to support local theatre again and enjoy themselves.”
Switzerland, written by Joanna Murray-Smith and directed by Michael Taylor is premiering at the Toowoomba Repertory Theatre next Wednesday night, March and is running for four nights only until Saturday, March 6 from 7.30pm each night.

Wednesday night’s gala opening tickets includes a glass of champagne and COVID-safe served finger food.

Tickets can be purchased from the Rep Theatre’s website here.