Another bold Made at Curve production, The Silence of the Lambs is a new theatre drama based on Thomas Harris’s acclaimed novel, itself turned into the Oscar-winning film of the same name.

Harris’ book, along with its sequels, prequels, movies and TV adaptations, is a hot bed of depravity, dark violence and terrifying dread so does this stage show manage to capture all its macabre delights?

Well, in a word, yes. What we have is taken more directly from the prose than the film, but the visual look is straight from the 1991 movie itself. As young FBI trainee Clarice Starling, Mollie Gallagher is dressed in Jodie Foster’s iconic suit whilst she seeks advice from John Partridge as Hannibal Lecter, who dons the recognisable Anthony Hopkins prison jumpsuit.

For the uninitiated, the captured murderous psychiatrist Dr. Lecter is interviewed by Starling during her investigation to help catch an on-the-loose serial killer called Buffalo Bill. Time is of the essence as a kidnapped girl is in grave danger and Clarice must decide how much of her personal life she shares with Lecter to get the case solved.

John Partridge as ‘Hannibal the Cannibal’ is the star of the night. He channels Hopkins’ take well, infuses it with some of Brian Cox’s mannerisms from Manhunter and physically, actually looks very much like Mads Mikkelsen. However, this is not to underestimate his own tics and style he brings to the character himself. Like all good portrayals, he’s conniving, friendly and deadpan, yet at the same time absolutely petrifying all at once. And Partridge had the audience on the edge of their seat everytime he appeared on stage.

Slightly mismatched though was Starling. With the look and accent down perfect, the portrayal overall was perhaps a little too broad for my tastes. Certainly in comparison to Foster's movie style. Which to be fair is almost impossible to recreate. Here this interpretation was a tad too theatrical, and somewhat at odds with aspects of the gruesome material. And if you drank a Chianti every time she pointed at something then you’d be drunk way before the interval.

Supporting the two-handed main cast is Oliver Farnworth as Clarice’s boss Jack Crawford, whilst Sam Jackson turns in a fantastic oddball performance as Buffalo Bill. Writer Gina Gionfriddo has cut her cloth on House of Cards, Law and Order and The Alienist and her experience with those shows has helped capture the story well here too. The mix of crime drama, police procedural and murder suited the subject matter extremely well.

Have they smoothed off the gory edges? Absolutely not. We get harsh moments of blood, intense kidnapping and adult themes of sexuality, repression and killing. And I was totally there for it. We’re all mature adults here and the adaptation wouldn’t have worked without its deep exploration into the disturbed parts of psychology and the nastier side of life.

The Silence of the Lambs movie itself is a cinematic masterpiece. The most recent film to win the “Big Five” at the Academy Awards, its legacy spawned a franchise and some of the greatest moments in the movies including unforgettable performances and dialogue. And what we have here is a great combination of the previous iterations with most coming from that classic film.

Speaking of which, the stage craft and lighting, along with the production design and sets were absolutely sublime. From Lecter's iconic cell to Bill's dingy dungeon, as well as brilliant street scenes and FBI training facilities, I don’t think I’ve seen better at the Curve. It was truly cinematic and incredibly engrossing. And perhaps a few Easter Eggs thrown in for the fans too? Thought I spotted some Manhunter-style synthwave music, a recognisable piano motif in a music box and a Tom Petty song reference. Or maybe this was all just me.

Overall then, I think devotees of the book, film and TV series will hugely enjoy this thrilling drama. But I am also sure it will convert a few new fans to the guilty delights of Hannibal and his world of tension, horror and dread.

★★★★

Michael Sales

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The Silence of the Lambs is on at Curve Leicester from Sat 1 - Sat 15 Aug 2026 before continuing on its UK Tour including Nottingham, Birmingham, Coventry and more in the Midlands. Tickets & info: https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/silence-of-the-lambs/