The latest play in Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds series of ‘The Best Plays Of The Last Ten Years’ has opened with a psychological thriller based on real-life crime writer Patricia Highsmith.
Switzerland is set in the author’s remote Swiss home when a visitor arrives with a simple request – but as the conversation begins, the lines start to blur between reality and fiction as it becomes chillingly unclear who is really in control.
Catherine Russell plays Highsmith alongside Jamies Sayers as her visitor Edward Ridgeway.
Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds artistic director Owen Calvert-Lyons said: “We’re delighted to be working with an actor of Catherine’s calibre. She brings a wealth of experience to this role. I am really looking forward to delving into the life of Patricia Highsmith – she is a fascinating individual, and I know that Catherine will do a brilliant job of bringing her to life on our stage.”
Russell’s other credits include the role of Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and also as Miss Havisham in Tanika Gupta’s adaptation of Great Expectations at The Royal Exchange Theatre. She can now be seen in the second season of The Chelsea Detective for Acorn TV and Deborah Cahn’s new series The Diplomat for Netflix. Catherine has starred in several television series, including The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Holby City, from 2012 to 2020.
Sayers’ most recent theatre credit was playing Rosencrantz in Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, his workshop credits include Victoria (Melting Pot) and whilst training, his theatre credits include: Blithe Spirit, Measure for Measure and Romeo and Juliet.
The theatre is collaborating with Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival to host post-show talks with authors connected to the story of Switzerland.
On Saturday 10 October after the 7.30pm performance Andrew Wilson, author of Beautiful Shadow – A Life of Patricia Highsmith, will be hosted by Margaret Meyer.
On Saturday 17 Oct after the 2pm performance Jill Dawson, author of The Crime Writer, will be hosted by Kate Sawyer.
Joanna Murray-Smith’s play was first staged in 2014 and is currently being produced as a film featuring Helen Mirren as Patricia Highsmith, directed by Anton Corbjin.
- Switzerland runs until Saturday 24 October 2026 at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, tickets £12-£35.