Writer : Peter James
Director : Jonathan O’Boyle
Stage adapter : Shaun McKenna
Reviewer : Steve Turner
Transferring successful novels and TV series to the stage is not an easy task, especially when the author is as popular as Peter James the writer of tonight’s work, as this brings expectations of how things should be. A packed house is clear evidence of the interest in his work and this production will not disappoint the assembled fans of his character Roy Grace. The action is set in James’ home territory of Sussex, in the somewhat murky world of high art collectors, and based around the story of a real life copyist David Henty to whom James was introduced by an ex-policeman friend. The plot contains the requisite staples of murder, intrigue, dogged police work and plenty of twists and turns along the way, keeping the audience guessing as to what will come next.
We first meet the Kiplings, a married couple, struggling a little financially, who purchase a painting at a boot sale solely because they like the frame, only to discover that another painting lies under the ugly picture they’ve bought. Not expecting much they take the painting to a television valuation programme to discover that they may be holding a lost masterpiece worth millions. Now the game of avarice and intrigue begins as a local collector, the rather affectedly debonair Stuart Piper, played with relish by Nicholas Maude, determines to possess the work one way or another.
The set is split into three, four if you count the use of the front of the stage as a corridor in the police station, the Kiplings’ house, Piper’s grandiose art room and the studio of the copyist (not forger as he is at pains to point out throughout proceedings) Dave Hegarty. Dividing the set up in such a way helps keep the work true to its origins as a page turner as it eliminates the necessity of set changes with each scene moving seamlessly onto the next. The cast also help keep this momentum going with great timing throughout as the story unfolds, with barely a pause for breath.
The pace, however, has a downside, as in order to fit all of the twists and turns into just over two hours of action there is very little in the way of character development or depth. Aside from the convolutions of the plot the whole thing seems a little staid with the character of Roy Grace almost relegated to a supporting role here, always seeming to be catching up with the action rather than anticipating it. Peter Ash as Hegarty gives a fine performance, striking the right balance between roguish chancer and reformed forger having once been arrested by Roy Grace. The dialogue is also rather predictable and slightly clichéd and barring the performances of Ash and Maude the cast do not get much of a chance to shine with the material they are given.
Judging by the reactions of tonight’s audience who laughed and gasped appropriately from beginning to end this will be a hit with fans of the writer and the Roy Grace series of novels. The action moved along at a great pace, never dragging, was easy to follow and provided some shocks as well as some humour, however it all felt a little outdated in terms of style almost like a whodunit from a bygone era.
Runs until 5th April then on tour until July
