Following on from five hit stage shows and the new acclaimed ITV series ‘Grace’ the work of best-selling author Peter James returns to The Alexandra, Birmingham with the world premiere stage adaption of Wish You Were Dead.
Inspired by a strange holiday in France by author Peter James and his family, Wish You Were Dead tells the story of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (George Rainsford) and his wife Cleo (Katie McGlynn), who arrive at a French Maison D’Hôtes in the rain for a much-needed holiday with their new baby. Accompanied by their nanny, Kaitlynn (Gemma Stroyan), things haven’t gone according to plan – Kaitlynn’s boyfriend (and Roy’s colleague) Jack (Alex Stedman) has yet to arrive, the hotel is run-down and nothing like what was advertised and the greeting received from Madame L’Eveque (Rebecca McKinnis) is far from welcoming.
Roy is distracted – the head of a gang that he has long chased is about the be arrested back in the UK – and, as the attempt to settle in for the night, a number of unexplained and unnerving events develop that indicate a sinister trap may have been set…
With such a small cast, it was inevitable that the story development was perhaps somewhat limited, and I struggled with some of the rather shouted dialogue and over-the-top accents on occasion. The introduction of Clive Mantle as Roy’s nemesis Curtis in the second half lifted it somewhat – his stage presence and seeming enjoyment in the role of a villain was enjoyable to watch, and he provided some of the more comical moments of the play.
The most notable thing about Wish You Were Dead was the set: trophy animal heads and a rather large and garish painting of the crucifixion mounted on the walls, falling ceiling parts, hidden rooms a suit of armour that suggests there may be a real person. Accompanied by great lighting and sound effects, it really set the tone.
Suzie Speaks 
We love the TV ‘Grace’ series! This sounds like you gave it a ‘meh.’