Wish You Were Dead Review by Lynn Carroll

July 4, 2023

As I have said many times before, please forgive me for repeating myself, a well known TV drama or film will often fall short when it is reproduced on stage. This is unavoidable and one must try to avoid those annoying memories (if you have seen the screen adaptations) and enjoy the play for what it is.

In this case, for those who have not seen the TV series GRACE, the play is based on the books by Peter James, but this particular episode in his many books has not yet been brought to the small screen. It concerns Detective Superintendent Roy Grace who solves cases whilst in the midst of the unsolved mystery of his own wife’s disappearance many years previously. In Wish You Were Dead we find he has remarried, has a baby son and as a family are on holiday, with friends Kaitlynn and Jack, staying at a mysterious chateau in France.

I say mysterious because the opening scenes definitely have an air of the supernatural about them. Eerie run down chateau, no one to greet them on arrival, repetitive banging sounds, no wi-fi and a definite sense of menace from a suit of armour that you half expect to lunge forward and take a head with his wicked looking halberd.

Whilst the ongoing story disproved the supernatural theory it did take a slight turn toward comedy, according to some members of the audience who tittered and actually laughed out loud on occasion.

My first forays into theatre land began with productions of Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Jersey Boys and so forth, so hopefully I can be forgiven for that unfair little niggle of disappointment when attending plays. Big shows, by definition, will always be more lavish. I do believe I am improving on that score, as there was much to enjoy during this pleasant interlude at the Palace Theatre.

Not being knowledgeable about what goes on behind the scenes and the reasons why things are as they are, two things bothered me. As in a previous review I did wonder why there is no sound system and on this visit realised that no stage curtains were in use before and after the start, finish and interval.

The Palace Theatre is small so possibly it is felt that a sound system is not warranted but I personally feel that actors are at a disadvantage when shouting out their lines in order for the audience to clearly hear them. It detracts from reality of scenes where normal speaking voices would be sufficient. It also seemed strange that the second half began with cast members, one bound and hooded, walking on stage and taking their places rather than being already in situ and then revealed upon the opening of sweeping curtains.

I am sure there are good reasons for both these missing touches but do believe their addition would have raised the quality and enjoyment for all. I always wish I could write a review without feeling the need to highlight one actor who stood out for me, but I always feel compelled to do so and in this case it was Clive Mantle playing the part of Curtis, a career criminal who for many years has been plotting his revenge on Grace. He commanded the stage with his timing and witty lines, was suitably menacing without being too frightening and for me the second half came alive with his appearance. He was my favourite doctor in Holby and Casualty many years ago and I have not seen enough of him since then, though I see from his bio that he has enjoyed a busy career.

Personally I felt that Roy Grace (played by George Rainsford, well known as Dr Ethan Hardy in Casualty), and his wife (Katie McGlynn, Sinead in Coronation Street) were miscast, but that is only because, once again, I have been an avid follower of the Grace TV series. Had I not been, their characters would not have seemed so unlike the versions I know and I would have known no difference.

So, would I recommend this play to you…….yes. Regular theatre goers will very much enjoy this offering, especially if they have no idea who or what Grace is about. My companion and I felt it was an evening well spent and look forward to this particular Roy Grace story coming to our screens in the near future.