Rebecca by Melbourne Theatre Company: A Hauntingly Adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Classic Tale

Melbourne Theatre Company brings a compelling new adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca to the stage, adapted and directed by Artistic Director Anne-Louise Sarks. This haunting reimagining of the 1938 gothic novel is now playing at Southbank Theatre until 5 November 2025.

The story follows a young, unnamed woman who falls for the dashing widower Maxim de Winter (Stephen Phillips). Swept away by romance, she moves to his grand country estate, Manderley, unaware of the dark secrets that lie within its walls. The lingering presence of Maxim’s late wife, Rebecca, permeates every room, while the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers (Pamela Rabe) is determined to keep Rebecca’s memory alive and torment the new Mrs de Winter (Nikki Shiels).

The play unfolds as a flashback, beginning with the famous line, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…” — instantly setting the tone for this beautifully haunting production.

A Theatrical Experience That Feels Like Living Literature

Rebecca is why I go to the theatre — to be transported from everyday life and, for a short while, to feel part of a living manuscript.

The understated opening set, paired with elegant prose and faultless delivery, builds a sense of intimacy before the story expands into a sweeping psychological drama. It’s a multilayered tale of a naïve young woman drawn into a world of money, status, and secrets — where love, jealousy, and obsession intertwine with the mystery of a stately home.

Every moment feels purposeful, from the tender detail of arranging Rebecca’s clothes to the rapid, discordant flashes of passing time. The production’s pulse is beautifully crafted — deliberate yet dreamlike — leading the audience deeper into Manderley’s tangled emotional landscape. This is theatre delivered with such precision that you drift away feeling you have inhabited a novel, if only for an evening.

The Cast

Nikki Shiels is extraordinary as the unnamed Mrs de Winter, her performance a study in vulnerability and quiet strength. She carries the audience through every emotional turn — from wide-eyed wonder to uneasy self-doubt — with a presence that feels both fragile and defiant.

Stephen Phillips captures Maxim de Winter’s conflicted soul, revealing flashes of warmth and guilt beneath his reserved exterior.

Pamela Rabe, playing multiple roles including Mrs Van Hopper, Beatrice, and most notably Mrs Danvers, is simply phenomenal. Her portrayal of Danvers is layered with devotion, cruelty, and heartbreak — a portrait of grief turned into obsession.

Toby Truslove rounds out the ensemble with sharp, balanced performances as Frank Crawley and Jack Favell, offering moral grounding and reckless charm in equal measure.

The Creative Team

The set design by Marg Horwell is an artwork in itself. The set begins understated, gradually transforming with clever details: a mirrored ceiling symbolising duality — two wives, two marriages, two versions of Manderley. As vines creep from the ceiling and time fractures through shifting sets and blackouts, the story transitions into a dreamlike, almost nightmarish state.

The final scene, set on a revolving platform, weaves together despair, desire, and loss — revealing the depth of the story’s gothic heart.

The lighting by Paul Jackson and the sound design by Joe Paradise Lui and Grace Ferguson heighten the psychological tension through vivid use of colour, haze, and shadow. The haunting score and atmospheric soundscape beautifully capture du Maurier’s blend of romance and dread.

Anne-Louise Sarks’ direction of Rebecca masterfully balances restraint and intensity, creating a production that feels both intimate and expansive. She captures the novel’s slow-burning tension, with each revelation drawing the audience deeper into the haunting, unsettling world of Manderley.

**Why Rebecca Is Theatre Worth Experiencing**

Rebecca is a reminder of why live theatre endures — it transports audiences into another world, allowing us to feel the full spectrum of emotion through story, performance, and design. This production stays true to du Maurier’s vision while offering a refreshingly modern theatrical interpretation.

Running for 1 hour and 45 minutes with no interval, Rebecca includes mature themes, theatrical smoke, haze effects, and dynamic sound. Recommended for ages 15 and up.

Rebecca – Melbourne Theatre Company 2025
Dates: Until 5 November 2025
Venue: Southbank Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets: Book via Melbourne Theatre Company

Rebecca by Melbourne Theatre Company: A Hauntingly Adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Classic Tale

A Theatrical Experience That Feels Like Living Literature

The Cast

The Creative Team

**Why Rebecca Is Theatre Worth Experiencing**

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