‘Picture You Dead’ is the latest theatrical adaptation of the best-selling series of novels by Peter James and is currently touring regional venues across the UK. As always, the action is focused on the Brighton based investigations of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, here skilfully and confidently portrayed by George Rainsford. With regular sidekick Glenn Branson away on holiday in Barbados, Grace is instead partnered by DS Bella Moy (Gemma Stroyan) with whom he has a good rapport.
The first point I must make about this play is the extraordinary set, brilliantly conceived and designed by Adrian Linford. On one side, you see the plain, sparsely furnished apartment of Freya and Harry Kipling (Fiona Wade and Ben Cutler). On the other side is the ramshackle and cluttered studio occupied by local artist Dave Hegarty (Mark Oxtoby).
The performance begins with Freya and Harry bringing in a second-hand swivel chair they have a bit of fun with, and a painting, both purchased at a local car boot sale. Whilst this is going on, we see Dave hard at work on his latest creation, his forte being carefully and lovingly crafted copies of masterpieces by the likes of Lowry and Canaletto. Freya and Harry are intrigued when they suspect that the picture has been painted over another earlier image and decide to discover what lies underneath. Harry is a builder and had previously built a garage for Dave. Freya calls Dave and he guides Harry on how to remove the layer of paint without damaging the original painting. What Freya and Harry do not know is that Dave has a criminal past, having been arrested by Grace for forgery. Whilst in jail, Dave studied art and honed his craft to a highly proficient level.
An antiques-based TV programme was being filmed locally, so Freya and Harry take the painting along to see if it might be valuable. We learn that she is unemployed, and Harry is owed money from a previous job, which means they are rather short of cash. Suave host Oliver De Souza (Adam Morris) is thrilled when he instantly recognises the style of a famous French artist and effusively extols its potential value, all of which is captured on the broadcast episode.
Unsurprisingly, Freya and Harry are delighted that their money worries might be over, and they are advised to have the painting valued by Sotheby’s. Unfortunately for them, the programme catches the attention of devious and arrogant millionaire collector Stuart Piper (Ore Oduba) and his associate Roberta Kilgore (Jodie Steele). For a long time, Piper has been searching for the long-lost artwork to complete a series of four as he already owns the other three. He is determined to acquire it at all costs, with the assistance of the worldly-wise Roberta and local burglar Archie Goff (Sean Jones). The room where his art collection is housed is cleverly revealed as part of the intricate set.
I am not going to say anything more about the plot itself, so as not to spoil it, but instead, I will concentrate on other aspects of the drama. This is a multi-layered piece of theatre by award-winning director Jonathan O’Boyle, and the pace was well maintained throughout. As you would expect, the scene changes were slickly performed, and all the lighting and sound cues were highly effective.
Although I would definitely recommend it, my only criticism is that a few of the actors were, at times, too quiet when delivering their lines. I was sat near the back of the stalls and could not hear every word, which is rather surprising from a fully professional cast.
The production runs until Saturday, including a matinee on that day, and tickets can be purchased from the theatre’s website: https://www.floralpavilion.com/
David Swift
20/05/2025
No comments:
Post a Comment