Last night Neva and I went along to the opening night of Peter James’ Picture You Dead at Norwich Theatre.
We love the Peter James Roy Grace series, and the TV show Grace, based on the books, we have also been to Norwich to watch previous productions, you can check out Wish You Were Dead and Looking Good Dead.
Starring 2024’s multiple award-winning actor Peter Ash (Coronation Street, War Horse), Fiona Wade, who starred this year in 2:22 A Ghost Story, following 12 years in Emmerdale, and with Casualty’s George Rainsford (Call the Midwife, 2:22 A Ghost Story) returning as DSI Roy Grace.
Back home in Brighton, DSI Grace investigates a cold case that leads him to the secretive world of fine art, but beneath the respectable veneer lurks a dark underworld of deception and murder.
When one unsuspecting couple unearth a potentially priceless masterpiece, they discover that their dream find is about to turn into their worst nightmare, and only Grace can stop them from paying the ultimate price.
As previously mentioned we are big fans of this Peter James series, and I loved that George Rainsford was reprising the role of Roy Grace.
During Picture You Dead, we didn’t see as much of Grace and the police station as previous productions, however the events that unfolded were fast paced and told the story as it happened.
The story begins with Freya and Harry Kipling picking up a painting at a local car boot and discovering it could be a long lost painting worth millions, they appear on a television program detailing their find and it starts a chain of events that involves corruption, forgeries and ultimately death.
My favourite character was the very likeable rogue Dave Hegarty played by Peter Ash, who was a criminal gone straight (sort of) and Grace clearly has a soft spot for him, he owned the stage, and although he isn’t completely innocent of any crimes, you couldn’t help but warm to him.
Fiona Wade and Ben Cutler were believable as The Kiplings, whose world is turned upside down by their discovery.
So if you are looking for a good night out from now until 5th April, then Picture You Dead is one you should definitely consider.
Picture You Dead is taking place at Norwich Theatre until 5th April, you can get your tickets HERE
If you are not local, don’t worry you can check out the full schedule HERE