Show: Wish You Were Dead
Society: New Victoria Theatre (professional productions)
Venue: New Victoria Theatre. The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey GU21 6GQ
Credits: By Peter James. Adapted by Shaun McKenna. Produced by Joshua Andrews and Peter James
Type: Sardines
Author: Paul Johnson
Performance Date: 25/07/2023
Wish You Were Dead
Paul Johnson | 26 Jul 2023 10:17am
Photo: George Rainsford & Katie McGlynn
A rare treat in Woking last night saw a thriller, not a musical, of Peter James’ latest stage stage adaptation enthrall the leafy town’s press night audience at the New Victoria Theatre, (which was about 80% full and enjoyed the public on all three levels). That said, alongside the fact that the refreshing change was very well done, I can’t, of course detail the plot for fear of revealing certain plot spoilers and upsetting cast, crew and creatives in the process. Couple that with the fact that we have an interview inside our upcoming issue with last night’s cast in question (namely George Rainsford, Katie McGlynn and Clive Mantle) and you will understand what a big “No, no” it is. Needless to say that despite the audience gasping st various intervals, this is a Peter James thriller so, as such, all appears to work out and iron itself out in the end.
Katie McGlynn, who has just been killed off (from the big ‘C’) in Coronation Street, gives a strong account in her stage debut tour – and an RP accent t’boot. George Rainsford does likewise as Peter James’ faithful Detective Roy Grace (even if he does look a little small and young for the role). And Clive Mantle’s meniacal laugh in Act II breaks up the tension nicely for his watching fans. You can feel the experience speak for itself in Mantle’s masterly performance. Other actors come and go throughout and, even if not named here, they all go some way to adding to the tension and keeping you guessing what might happen next.
The Graces are on holiday with their newborn son, in France, in a château (Château-sur-l’Évêque no less). Complete with a suit of armour wealding an authentic looking Fauchard (Michael Holt – Designer) the house lmight be old-fahioned but looks quite real. I particulary like the way the audience is afforded the occasional glimpse at Roy’s friend, Jack, tied to a chair in an upstairs room.
As mentioned just before the theatre fills its Aug slots with several one-nighters and stand-ups it does make a nice change to inject a traditional thriller into the endless programme of seemingly non-stop musicals. That said, its Our House tonight – the Madness / Tim Firth collaboration. Wish You Were Dead is playing at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre until this Saturday, 29 July