Picture You Dead
Connaught Theatre, Worthing
until Sat 19th July 2025
Now reaching the tail end of a highly successful UK tour is Shaun McKenna’s adaptation of Peter James’ acclaimed novel Picture You Dead. The seventh of his books to grace the stage. Peter James is a phenomenally successful writer selling over 23 million copies worldwide
The narrative delves into the dark underworld of art dealing and was reportedly inspired by James’ encounter with David Henty, a former art forger now turned acclaimed copyist. The mystery begins when a young couple Harry and Freya Kipling buy a cheap picture from a car boot sale, initially drawn to the moulded gold frame. They later discover it may be a long-lost masterpiece worth a fortune after a surprise appraisal on the Antiques Roadshow. The revelation however reaches a villainous art dealer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the painting. Roy Grace must therefore step in and unravel the clues before disaster strikes.
Visually the production impresses with an excellent, intricate three-part set contrasting the Kipling’s living room, the flamboyant home of the unscrupulous dealer and the artist Hegarty’s studio, with seamless transitions throughout.
The talented cast deliver commendable performances with an outstanding performance from Mark Oxtoby embodying the likeable but somewhat devious character of the artist Dave Hegarty. Ben Cutler and Fiona Wade are thoroughly convincing as the young couple Harry and Freya Kipling while Adam Morris captivates with his hugely charismatic portrayal of the Antiques Roadshow expert Oliver De Souza. George Rainsford well known for his role as Ethan Hardy in Casualty brings a calm unruffled presence to Roy Grace as he sifts through the facts.
A thoroughly enjoyable production as twists and turns abound leaving the audience of amateur sleuths guessing right up until the end.
Reviewer: Jill Lawrie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️