What a refreshing interpretation of this Daphne Du Maurier classic. Gone is  the predictable portrayal of an icy, evil and singular dimensional Mrs Danvers that we have seen in film. Pamela Rabe’s Mrs Danvers is controlled, subtle and unintentionally comedic keeping the audience guessing – Is she for real? This ambiguity just adds to the the gothic drama.  Rabe rides the seesaw of congeniality and pure manipulation with delicious passive aggressive energy.

Directed and adapted by Anne-Louise Sarks, this one act version of the 1938 novel is concise, lean and obviously created with Pamela Rabe in mind. Rabe plays three different characters each more magnificent and layered than the next, culminating in Mrs Danvers. 

This small ensemble includes Nikki Shiels as The Woman (the new Mrs DeWinter) and is played with needed honesty as this character has to deliver so much information to the audience so needs to be a relatable and sympathetic protagonist. Its through this character we get a true outsider’s depiction of this weird world that has been created at Manderley. Stephen Phillips’ Maxim de Winter creates a nice balance between seductor and a powerful entitled gentleman. His usual flamboyant self, Toby Trulove takes charge of his duo of characters with flair.

Set design by Marg Horwell is simple. Dustcovers wrap the detritus of the mansion and hint at the ghosts that still exist at Manderley and when Mrs Danvers slowly disrobes these objects in her own manipulative fashion, literally controlling the flow of information to the new Mrs DeWinter, was fabulous.The elliptical rug teamed with the rotary stage and ceiling mirror keeps the audience off kilter truly emulating the imbalance felt by the new Mrs DeWinter in these new surroundings. The final scene was dealt in such a clever way as Mrs Danvers sets alight the portrait of Rebecca leaving no doubt as to who destroys Manderley and thus the past, as her obsession turns to the new Mrs DeWinter.

Lighting was sympathetic and I thoroughly enjoyed the constant blackouts to emphasise the subtle scene changes as the new Mrs DeWnter tries to digest all the information she discovers. We finally see her reactions rather than her character just narrating. Sound design by duo Grace Ferguson and Joe Paradis Lui was suitable though maybe could have played a large role in creating the atmosphere at Manderley.

Rebecca plays through until 7 November so dream again of Manderley, and see Pamela Rabe at her best.