Review: Picture You Dead, UK tour, Glasgow
- Lisa in the theatre
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 13
Peter James' Detective Grace is back on the UK stage with his latest case, Picture You Dead.
Adapted for the stage from the UK's number one crime writer Peter James' bestselling novel, Picture You Dead is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, who previously directed two Peter James stage adaptations, Wish You Were Dead (2023) and Looking Good Dead (2021-2022).
Review: Theatre Royal, Glasgow | 11 June 2025
Picture You dead (play) review ★★★☆☆
The seventh Peter James book to be adapted for the stage by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna, Picture You Dead sees Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (George Rainsford) investigate a case set in the treacherous underworld of fine art dealing.
When Freya and Harry Kipling (Fiona Wade and Ben Cutler) buy an old painting for £20 at a car boot sale, they are stunned to discover it may potentially be a long-lost masterpiece worth millions of pounds. But the painting is highly sought after, and may be more trouble than it's worth. Local cop DS Grace is already investigating a cold case linked to the art world and soon suspects the painting and the Kipling's may be in danger.
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If you've seen a Grace adaptation on stage before, Picture You Dead has the same sort of tongue in cheek, cosy crime feel. There's no real jeopardy or thrills, but quite a few comic moments (whether purposeful or otherwise). I particularly love how they always manage to squeeze in the title of the play, said to the audience with a knowing look! That always raises a laugh, and let's you know that the play doesn't take itself too seriously.
There are plenty of twists in this story too to keep the audience guessing right up to the end. While I was sure I knew what the twist was pretty much straight away, I was surprised to learn there was more to it.
A Grace drama, without enough Grace
Peter James' Grace novels have sold over 23 million copies worldwide and have been made into a popular ITV drama. The series is the most successful modern-day crime franchise to transfer to the stage since Agatha Christie.
On stage here the detective is played by the wonderful George Rainsford, but he has surprisingly little to do. This could be any detective, any British crime novel - It didn't particularly feel tied to Brighton or to Roy Grace. That being said, Rainsford is charismatic and a real delight every moment he is on stage. I just wish he featured more.
The rest of the company are also strong with believable, solid performances from everyone including Fiona Wade, Ben Cutler, Gemma Stroyan, Ore Oduba, Sean Jones, Adam Morris, Jodie Steele and Mark Oxtoby.
As is frequently the case with plays at Glasgow Theatre Royal the cast were not individually miked and thus often difficult to hear. There were a few standing microphones positioned at the front of the stage, but a lot of the action in Picture You Dead takes place further back within a deep, multi-room set. Despite being seated at the very front of the circle, I struggled to catch every line. Some cast members projected better than others, but one or two almost seemed to be shouting initially. It's so unnecessary when individual radio mics would solve the problem.
Inspired by real-life copyist David Henty
The story for Picture You Dead is a good one; set among the respectable fine art world, we soon learn about the murky tactics and greed that run hand-in-hand with the pursuit of rare, valuable collectibles. Peter James was inspired to write this story when he met real-life former master art forger David Henty. Henty was arrested in the 1990s for forging passports and learnt how to copy major artworks while in prison.
The corresponding character here, David Hegarty played by Mark Oxtoby, is central to the storyline and pitched perfectly. Can we trust him or not? It's a great setup.
There are however a lot of characters, locations and twists and turns to keep track of. Adrian Linford's set is presented in four static sections; the Kipling's home; Hegarty's studio, Art collector Stuart Piper's den and a transitional corridor at the front. So while the plot and staging is quietly exciting, there's little room for character development.
I can see how this story would work better as a novel, with more time to explore the cold case Grace is working on and the colourful backgrounds of some of the characters. Perhaps it will fair better with audience members already familiar with the book.
Picture You Dead is a gentle, traditional, good-old-fashioned crime caper. It has a satisfying story arc and is presented well on stage. It is entertaining - but if it's a dark, hard-hitting crime drama you are looking for, perhaps look elsewhere ★★★☆☆
Picture You Dead plays at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal from Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 June and then continues on tour across the UK until July 2025.
Peter James said: “It is truly incredible for me to see the seventh stage adaptation of my books. I am so grateful to the hundreds of thousands of people around the UK who have come to their local theatre and enjoyed the plays over the last 10 years. Now that I have seen Picture You Dead performed, I am thrilled to say I think this new play is the best one so far!”
Also playing in Glasgow this week: Read my review of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe here
PICTURE YOU DEAD
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Tue 10 - Sat 14 June 2025
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