Review by Rosie Holmes
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Hot on the heels of the latest instalment of the acclaimed atV series GRACE, Superintendent Roy Grace is back in a brand-new Peter James stage adaptation. With a total of 20 Sunday Times bestsellers to his name and the television series now a huge hit on ITV, Picture You Dead, the seventh thrilling stage adaptation of the popular novel series, stops off at Richmond Theatre on its UK tour. With such weighty acclaim behind it, I had high expectations for my first encounter with the world of Peter James’ Roy Grace, especially being a lover of a crime thriller.
Picture You Dead explores the murky underworld of art dealing, promising a mix of crime, mystery and secrets. The story begins with the financially struggling Kipling couple (whom we are told multiple times are no relation to the cake maker) who purchase a painting at a local car boot sale, and unbeknownst to them the painting is in fact a long-lost masterpiece. After appearing on Antiques Roadshow with the picture, they catch the eye of villainous art collector Stuart Piper and his consultant, Roberta Kilgore, who are willing to get the painting at all costs. The Kiplings are then thrust into a world of dodgy art dealings, murder, and mystery, which Roy Grace must work to unravel before it’s too late.
The performances are generally strong, with a few standout moments. Peter Ash as Dave Hegarty, a master art 'copyist', is delightfully cheeky and devious, bringing much-needed energy to the stage. In fact, his character is based on real life copyist, David Henty. Fiona Wade and Ben Cutler’s portrayals of Freya and Harry Kipling respectively were, at times, a bit overly sweet, yet they succeeded in making their characters relatable to the audience. Ben Cutler does well to slowly transition from unassuming husband to a man seduced by the idea of money and mystery. Nicholas Maude’s portrayal of Stuart Piper, the rich, villainous art dealer, borders on caricature, but his presence in the most dramatic scenes adds a necessary tension to the story.
Jodie Steele as Roberta Kilgore shines with her impressive comedic talents. Her ability to mix humour with a darker, more sinister side of her character is something fans of the performer will no doubt recognise from some of her previous roles. George Rainsford returns as Roy Grace, calm and collected, playing the detective with his usual likability. However, for someone new to the Grace series, the lack of background on his character left him feeling somewhat one-dimensional. Fans of the series, with more knowledge of the character’s backstory, might appreciate the deeper layers to Grace, but I, as a newcomer, left the theatre wishing for more development of his character.
For crime drama fans, particularly those of the Grace series, Picture You Dead is sure to entertain with its twists, gunshots, and blood—everything one expects from a gripping crime thriller. However, while there were plenty of dramatic moments, the storyline felt at times overly predictable and, dare I say, a little silly. Some of the plot points bordered on implausible, which meant the attempt at building tension did not really work for me.
That said, the set design by Adrian Linford was a real triumph. The expansive stage was used brilliantly to represent three key settings: the Kipling’s cosy home, an opulent mansion filled with art belonging to Stuart Piper, and Dave Hegarty's painter's workshop. The intricate and impressive set created a sense of place for each setting, with clever lighting design that created a different atmosphere for each section of the stage. Do look out for some hidden surprises in the set as well, that add to the drama of the piece.
Picture You Dead is an entertaining crime drama that will undoubtedly satisfy fans of Peter James and the Grace series. It features suspense, drama, and some wonderful performances, even if some elements of the plot left me craving a bit more depth. While the story was a tad predictable for my taste, I can see why this series has become a success across the UK, and I’ll certainly be off to the car boot sale this weekend to try and uncover a multi-million-pound painting.
Picture You Dead plays at Richmond Theatre until 22nd March 2025, before it continues on its UK tour. Tickets and more information can be found here - PICTURE YOU DEAD - UK TOUR 2025 - Peter James