Wish You Were Dead At Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Review

Reviewed by Jane Warwick

Wish You Were Dead is the latest in a series of both hit stage shows and an acclaimed TV drama by the best-selling crime author Peter James. These all follow the exploits of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a troubled Brighton copper played in the TV series by John Simm. Peter James is a very accomplished crime writer who has won over 40 awards for his work and so my expectation was that Wish You Were Dead would be a dark, mysterious thriller which would keep me guessing to the end. In fact, it was quite funny, and combined with melodramatic over-acting and a weak plot was more like a pantomime than an ‘edge of your seat’ thriller. Despite this, it was still enjoyable and provided a pleasant evening’s entertainment reminiscent of high-quality amateur dramatics.

The action takes place in rural France at the Chateau-sur-L’Eveque where Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (George Rainsford) and his wife Cleo (Katie McGlynn) are starting their holiday hoping to have a respite from their dark worlds of murder and the mortuary. They arrive at the sinister Chateau along with their baby and his nanny Kaitlynn (Gemma Stroyan) where they soon discover that the chateau does not live up to their expectations and that their holiday turns out to be the holiday from hell as the past comes back to haunt them. The welcome they receive from Madame L’Eveque (Rebecca McKinnis) is anything but warm and the lack of a phone signal, no WI-Fi and dodgy electrics build an atmosphere of foreboding. It soon becomes apparent that all is not what it seems.

The main actors all have distinguished pedigrees, both on the stage and in television and the two male leads George Rainsford (after 8 years as Ethan Hardy in BBC Ones Casualty) and Clive Mantle (Casualty, Game of Thrones and Vicar of Dibley) were particularly strong.

The set design by Michael Holt was very good and provided an excellent back-drop for the action whilst the various props, including a suit of armour, were reminiscent of an Agatha Christie setting. Combined with very clever use of lighting by Jason Taylor, the static set effectively displayed three different parts of the chateau so that the action could continue seamlessly without the need for any breaks. The Director, Jonathan O’Boyle made good use of this atmospheric set, supported by interesting music and sound effects from Max Pappenheim.

This play is the sixth adaptation of one of Peter James’ best selling novels and makes the Grace novels the most successful crime thriller franchise since Agatha Christie. Unfortunately, it is hard to understand why from the weak plot of Wish You Were Dead; although the cast and production team managed to provide an enjoyable, if not very light, evening’s entertainment.

Wish You Were Dead started its UK tour in February 2023 and is playing at The Mayflower Theatre from June 6-10 and then continues to six other venues.

The Mayflower is an excellent venue and a deservedly popular theatre. It is the largest theatre on the South Coast with 2271 seats. There is a well- stocked bar(which surprisingly does not take cash) (editor’s note – I have come across a number of establishments who understandably since COVID happened no longer accept cash) and the facility to bring your drinks into the auditorium, plus a range of ice-creams and sweets which are often an essential ingredient for a theatre show. There is good parking and a good selection of restaurants within easy reach of the theatre making it the ideal place for an enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

Rating: 3/5

Tickets from £19.50-£43.50 at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from 6- 10 June.

For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on or call the box office 02380 711811.

22-26 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1GE