British Crime writer Peter James gained inspiration to write Wish You Were Dead when a nightmare journey whilst on holiday led him and his wife to a grim chateau in the South of France.
After his experience, he vowed he must write about ‘the perfect setting for the holiday from hell’ as he described it.
You get the sense of this thriller the moment you enter the auditorium. In a darkened room, stuffed animal heads adorn the walls whilst the armour of a medieval knight stands guard poised with an axe on the stairs.
Plenty of little details have been included in this play, right from the very beginning when the guests arrive, and their car lights shine across the window as they pull onto the drive.
The play, adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna, follows Detective Superintendent Grace, his pathologist wife with their three month old baby and nanny looking forward to a well earned holiday. But things don’t turn out as they’d hoped.
It’s pouring with rain when they arrive and Roy Grace, played by George Rainsford enters first, closely followed by his wife, Cleo, played by Katie McGlynn and nanny Kaitlynn Carter, played by Gemma Stroyan. They lug the cases in, all the time wondering where the owners of Chateau-sur-L’Eveque are.
Roy eventually finds the lights, but when he sees the state of the chateau, declares that it looked better in the dark.
When the lights are switched on, you realise how creative Michael Holt’s set and Jason Taylor’s lighting really is, it has everything you’d expect a creepy chateau to have, including a secret room.
Eventually, Madame L’Eveque, played by Rebecca McKinnis, turns up, with the guests probably wishing she hadn’t. She scolds them by telling them they are late, which she is clearly unhappy about.
Things take a sinister turn when the guests realise there is no way of contacting the outside world.
The first half of the play moves so quickly and is so intriguing it really keeps you on the edge of your seat. As the lights flicker and strange noises are heard, many of the audience visibly jump in their seats.
The second half is taken at a slower pace as the plot is revealed, and the Graces find out exactly why they have ended up in this situation.
There are several unexpected twists and turns, with plenty of humorous moments thrown in.
A great night out for crime fiction enthusiasts and anyone who likes to live life on the edge of their seat!
Wish You Were Dead is at Curve until Saturday 22 July.
Tickets £10-£40.50
