The New Theatre’s strong 2023 programme continues this week with the outstanding ‘Wish You Were Dead’ by leading crime writer Peter James.
It is fast-paced, dark, thrilling, but also funny, and has several jump-out-of-your-seat moments.
And you will give this play a knowing-nod when you pour over the internet to research your next holiday.
Without giving too much away, Brighton detective Roy Grace and his pathologist wife Cleo are taking their first family holiday together with new-born son Noah.
They are joined by their American friend Kaitlynn Carter, while her partner Jack, also a detective, who is meant to arrive ahead of them at holiday destination – the Chateau-sur-L’Eveque in the Champagne region of France.
But there is no sign of him when they arrive late in the evening in the pouring rain and thunder and lightning, to be greeted by the rude and aggressive housekeeper, Madame L’Eveque.
The eerie chateau no longer looks like the pictures on the internet, and the décor and furnishings look more old and fading, than Kaitlynn’s ‘quaint’ view of all things rural France.
Power cuts, a suspicious knight in armour, and the prowling housekeeper who is angry the visitors can’t speak French, but also seems to struggle to speak the language herself, sows seeds of suspicion with Grace, Cleo and Kaitlynn.
The loss of mobile reception and no ‘whiff-ffi’ as Madame L’Eveque describes it, all add to the mounting tension.
Why is there a picture of the housekeeper with a music legend who died three decades ago, and who is the mysterious Vicomte L’Eveque who bangs the bedroom floor upstairs for attention from his daughter-in-law housekeeper?!
It is a strong cast with George Rainsford as Grace, Katie McGlynn as Cleo, Gemma Stroyan as Kaitlynn, Leon Stewart as Glenn, and Alex Stedman as Jack Alexander.
Rebecca McKinnis is outstanding as the brooding Madame, while Clive Mantle (best known to audiences for his roles in Casualty and Game of Thrones) fills the stage with a dynamic, chilling performance as the intimidating ‘Curtis’. As I say, no spoiler alerts here.
The play utilises a slick, inter-changing set, and the lighting and sound effects are cleverly interweaved to create real moments of tension.
Credit should therefore also go to producer Joshua Andrews, lighting designer Jason Taylor, composer and sound designer Max Pappenheim, and designer Michael Holt.
- ‘Wish You Were Dead by Peter James is at the New Theatre, Cardiff, until Saturday, May 20. For more information and tickets https://newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/Online/tickets-wish-you-were-dead-cardiff-2023
