Writer: Peter James
Adapter: Shaun McKenna
Director: Jonathan O’Boyle
Wish You Were Deadis the latest of the Peter James Grace novels to be adapted for the stage, and is currently touring the UK. Shaun McKenna’s adaptation of the novel is thrilling and completely gripping, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout. McKenna manages to find enough moments of light and humour in the early scenes of the show, before the play becomes really quite dark and tense.
Jonathan O’Boyle directs the play and keeps the action moving quickly. He leads the actors in finding fully fleshed out and human characters. The space is used effectively to depict multiple rooms at the same time. Michael Holt’s set design is impressive, with some hidden surprises. It is detailed and large scale, routing the piece in reality and hence helping the stakes feel high. Jason Taylor’s lighting design works well and helps to add suspense to the play, whilst Max Pappenheim’s sound design and original music is truly chilling.
George Rainsford leads the cast as Roy Grace. He gives an endearing performance who struggles to leave his work at work. He has a lovely chemistry with Katie McGlynn who plays his wife, Cleo Grace. McGlynn shows great range as an actor as she goes from the loved-up wife who wants a nice holiday to completely terrified and confused about the events she finds herself wrapped up in. Gemma Stroyan gives a great performance as Kaitlynn Carter. Although we don’t learn a lot about her and how she knows the Grace family, the audience still warms to her and roots for her relationship with the suspiciously missing Jack Alexander.
Clive Mantle is perfectly villainous and intimidating as Curtis. He feels like a real threat to the Graces, and the audience really can’t guess what he might do next. Callum Sheridan-Lee is equally threatening as Curtis’ son, Brent. Although he doesn’t have much stage time, he gives an impressive performance showing Brent’s downfall as he discovers some home truths.
Completing the main cast is Rebecca McKinnis as Madame L’Évêque. She is the real star of this production, committing to a very convincing French accent and going on a huge emotional journey through the play. She is chilling, whilst also funny, and being the real emotional heart of the events of this story.
Wish You Were Deadmakes a perfectly thrilling night at the theatre, with a strong cast bringing to life a story with plenty of twists and turns.
Runs until 1st July 2023, before continuing on tour.