Interview: Bruce Herbelin-Earle on playing Dickie Greenleaf in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY UK tour
Photo credit: Danny Kaan
2025 marks the 70th anniversary of Patricia Highsmith’s gripping novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, the source material for this stage adaptation by Mark Leipacher who will also direct the production. We spoke to actor Bruce Herbelin-Earle on playing Dickie Greenlead in the UK tour.
70 years after the novel was released, why do you think now is the right time for The Talented Mr. Ripley to take to the stage?
We’re in a period of time where we’re seeing a real boom in live events and entertainment. This is one of those projects that nestles itself nicely within the post-pandemic theatre scene, particularly as we’re celebrating the 70th birthday of the original source material. It’s been 26 years since the release of the beloved film adaptation and with Andrew Scott helming the 2024 Netflix series, Ripley, now seems like the perfect time for an audience to experience Tom’s tomfoolery live on stage!
For those who may not be familiar, what is The Talented Mr. Ripley and who is your character, Dickie Greenleaf?
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a story about a disgruntled father, Richard Greenleaf (Christopher Bianchi), who wishes his son, Dickie Greenleaf, would return home to America from Italy. Richard solicits the services of a young man named Tom Ripley (Ed McVey) to go to Italy and persuade Dickie to return home. The audience follows Tom on his quest and the story plunges headfirst down a rabbit hole of tragedy, infatuation and deception… Dickie, and everyone around him, are pulled into Ripley’s orbit. What was beginning to look like a charming 1950s Italian summer quickly turns sour, as each of the characters fall privy to Ripley’s unsuspecting manipulation.
What appealed to you about being part of this production?
The challenge, length and intensity of the project! I’d been holding out for a role such as this for a long time and I’m extremely grateful that it found me. I was feeling a little restless, an actor going through the motions, auditioning for everything under the sun and hearing nothing back. Then after sending a tape for Dickie, Mark Leipacher wanted to meet for coffee and chat about the role. I floated out of the cafe, I knew it was right for the project and that the next six months were going to be a LOT of fun.
What is it like to work alongside popular TV actors Ed McVey and Maisie Smith?
Watching them work makes me want to work harder. Both of them, including the ensemble, enter rehearsals prepared, rested and keen to present ideas. It’s the ideal work environment. I feel blessed and extremely safe alongside them.
You've recently worked a lot on screen. Are you excited to now tour the UK's theatres?
Absolutely, I never trained but found my own path into the industry so even getting in the door and having the opportunities to audition for theatre have been few and far between. My plan was to gain a bit of traction in the screen-world and with those credits under my belt, be enough to be seen for theatre. For the opportunity to arrive so early and out of the blue was unexpectedly pleasant. The tip-off about The Talented Mr. Ripley came from casting director Rob Kelly (I call him my guardian angel) who cast me in Free Rein in 2017. He suggested me to the casting director Marc Frankum and Marc sent me audition material along with the script. It proves that the connections you make throughout a career can really come back around and be fruitful. Without Rob, I may have never had the opportunity to read for this. I’m so grateful, as I’m not only undertaking a 6 month run but I’m going to be experiencing every major venue in the country… it feels like a dream come true - I get to do it all at once at 100mph. I’m apprehensive of course but rehearsals are going so well and I just know we’re going to deliver a show worth coming to see.
What has been the highlight of your career so far? And what are some things you still aspire to achieve or work on?
I worked on George Clooney’s The Boys in the Boat and that is the highlight of my career so far. George was great and the boys and I spent two months training and learning how to row, followed by three months of actual filming in London and around the UK. We all became close and we keep in contact on a group chat. I’m getting them to come and watch the show, no excuses!
Why should people come and see The Talented Mr. Ripley at a theatre near them?
Our show is a wild ride. Regardless of whether you’ve read the book or seen the film, this stage adaptation pushes the story’s emotional intensity to new heights. At the helm is our director, Mark Leipacher, who adapted the story into stage-form about eleven years ago. I’m surprised it has taken this long for the UK (and indeed hopefully the West End) to welcome the play to the stage. I’m amongst a very talented bunch, so if we’re coming to your city and you have the opportunity to book tickets, come and join us! Let us take you into the world of the Talented Mr. Ripley!