REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
PETER JAMES’
‘PICTURE YOU DEAD’
22 – 26 July
Southend, Palace Theatre
BASED ON THE BESTSELLING DSI ROY GRACE SERIES BY PETER JAMES
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM PETERJAMES.COM
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
PETER JAMES’
‘PICTURE YOU DEAD’
22 – 26 July
Southend, Palace Theatre
BASED ON THE BESTSELLING DSI ROY GRACE SERIES BY PETER JAMES
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM PETERJAMES.COM
Before attending this stage adaptation, I was unaware of the many works of Peter James. However, I did get to watch an episode of Grace, the ITV series based on Mr James’ work. It was the same story that my wife had seen before at the Palace. She said the television version was different to that of the stage, despite the story being practically the same. In a way, it was good to have this reaction as it shows how one could assume they would be exact copies of each other, but upon closer examination you can see the differences in the details.
Which brings us to Picture You Dead. It’s a story within the art world, where only those with the keenest eye can tell the genuine article from a detailed fake. Husband and wife Henry and Freya Kipling (Ben Cutler and Fiona Wade) unwittingly find themselves in possession of a painting that could see them as millionaires. Advisement from ex-con forger and now legit art copier Dave Hegarty (Mark Oxtoby) sees their valuing of the painting broadcast on tv, catching the attention of billionaire art collector Stuart Piper (Ore Oduba) and his associate Roberta Kilgore (Jodie Steele). All the events unfold in the shadow of a reopened murder case overseen by detectives Roy Grace (George Rainsford) and Bella Moy (Gemma Stroyan, returning to the character she originated).
Unlike a lot of crime dramas, this one isn’t a “WhoDunnit” – it’s very clear from the start that Piper and Kilgore are the villains. This is more of a “Who’sGonnaGetAwayWithIt” as the story unfolds with many a twist and turn. Everything about the production is presented clearly. Adrian Linford’s stage design has a basic but effective set up: stage right, the Kipling’s home; stage left, the Piper residence & Hegarty’s painting den; downstage, everything else. The story isn’t too convoluted, although those expecting developments in the story of Grace himself may be disappointed. His role and that of Moy is that of linking the scenes together with the developments of the investigation going on offstage, which is handled very tightly.
The performances of the cast are of a high standard. Mark Oxtoby exudes a wonderful warmth and humour in his portrayal of Hegarty, giving the audience the same liking to him as you could tell Peter James had to David Henty, the man whose story inspired the character.
Ben Cutler is very likeable as Harry, though his understated and realistic reactions to unfolding events may unfortunately go unnoticed against his more exuberant onstage colleagues. Fiona Wade’s Freya is one of those personas, a clash of styles against her onstage husband, which sadly caused the character to be borderline annoying at points.
This note could also be said for Ore Oduba, whose performance might be described as pantomime villain, but he plays it with such charisma that you completely forgive him.
The show is stolen by Jodie Steele. She breezes through the play with undeniable stage presence from the get-go, showcasing a great range of emotional states. You go from laughing at Roberta Kilgore’s sarcastic humour to jumping at her sudden violent turns.
Overall, Jonathan O’Boyle delivers in his direction a simple yet engrossing tale. Fans of the genre will be fulfilled, while those more sceptical will be pleasantly surprised.
Review by David Jervis-Green
Which brings us to Picture You Dead. It’s a story within the art world, where only those with the keenest eye can tell the genuine article from a detailed fake. Husband and wife Henry and Freya Kipling (Ben Cutler and Fiona Wade) unwittingly find themselves in possession of a painting that could see them as millionaires. Advisement from ex-con forger and now legit art copier Dave Hegarty (Mark Oxtoby) sees their valuing of the painting broadcast on tv, catching the attention of billionaire art collector Stuart Piper (Ore Oduba) and his associate Roberta Kilgore (Jodie Steele). All the events unfold in the shadow of a reopened murder case overseen by detectives Roy Grace (George Rainsford) and Bella Moy (Gemma Stroyan, returning to the character she originated).
Unlike a lot of crime dramas, this one isn’t a “WhoDunnit” – it’s very clear from the start that Piper and Kilgore are the villains. This is more of a “Who’sGonnaGetAwayWithIt” as the story unfolds with many a twist and turn. Everything about the production is presented clearly. Adrian Linford’s stage design has a basic but effective set up: stage right, the Kipling’s home; stage left, the Piper residence & Hegarty’s painting den; downstage, everything else. The story isn’t too convoluted, although those expecting developments in the story of Grace himself may be disappointed. His role and that of Moy is that of linking the scenes together with the developments of the investigation going on offstage, which is handled very tightly.
The performances of the cast are of a high standard. Mark Oxtoby exudes a wonderful warmth and humour in his portrayal of Hegarty, giving the audience the same liking to him as you could tell Peter James had to David Henty, the man whose story inspired the character.
Ben Cutler is very likeable as Harry, though his understated and realistic reactions to unfolding events may unfortunately go unnoticed against his more exuberant onstage colleagues. Fiona Wade’s Freya is one of those personas, a clash of styles against her onstage husband, which sadly caused the character to be borderline annoying at points.
This note could also be said for Ore Oduba, whose performance might be described as pantomime villain, but he plays it with such charisma that you completely forgive him.
The show is stolen by Jodie Steele. She breezes through the play with undeniable stage presence from the get-go, showcasing a great range of emotional states. You go from laughing at Roberta Kilgore’s sarcastic humour to jumping at her sudden violent turns.
Overall, Jonathan O’Boyle delivers in his direction a simple yet engrossing tale. Fans of the genre will be fulfilled, while those more sceptical will be pleasantly surprised.
Review by David Jervis-Green
Ore Oduba has joined the world premiere tour of Picture You Dead. Adapted from the UK’s number one crime writer Peter James’ bestselling novel about Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, Picture You Dead is touring major UK theatres and finishing in Southend on 26 July 2025.
Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Pretty Woman, Rocky Horror Show) takes on the role of Stuart Piper, an eccentric millionaire art collector who gets tangled up in the dark underworld of stolen art. Ore’s debut performance in the play follows the latest series of Peter James’ Sunday night hit ITV series GRACE.
Actor and presenter Ore Oduba joins Emmerdale star Fiona Wade (2:22 A Ghost Story, Going Dutch). Wade plays Freya Kipling, who naively attracts the attention of dodgy dealers after buying a potentially multi-million-pound masterpiece at a car boot sale.
One of the nation’s favourite TV doctors George Rainsford, (Casualty, Call the Midwife), returns to the role of Peter James’ protagonist DSI Roy Grace, which he played in the 2023 hit production of Wish You Were Dead. And West End favourite Jodie Steele (Bonnie & Clyde, Wicked, Heathers, SIX) stars as the heartless villain, Roberta Kilgore.
Never before seen on stage or screen, Picture You Dead’s story was inspired when Peter James met real-life former master art forger, and now acclaimed copyist, David Henty. Henty was arrested in the 1990s for forging passports and learnt how to copy major artworks while in prison. Mark Oxtoby plays David Hegarty – based on Henty – he has history with DSI Roy Grace, having previously been nicked for forgery. Hegarty is now a reformed man but maintains an air of intrigue.
The full cast features Ben Cutler as Harry Kipling, Gemma Stroyan as Bella Moy, Adam Morris as Oliver De Souza and Sean Jones as Archie Goff. The understudies are Valentina Arena and Ross Telfer.
Picture You Dead is the seventh Peter James book to be adapted for the stage by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna. It 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).
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!”
Ore Oduba said: “I’m so excited to become part of the fantastic cast of Picture You Dead. I’ve watched their excellent performances in front of a packed house and seen audiences have a fabulous time watching the show. It’s great fun and full of twists and turns, comedy and shocks! I am thrilled to be in it!”
Set in Brighton, Picture You Dead sees DSI Grace investigate a cold case that leads him to the rarified air of fine art, but beneath the respectable veneer lurks a murky underworld of greed, deception and murder. When an unsuspecting couple unwittingly buy a potentially long-lost masterpiece in a car boot sale, they discover that their dream find is about to turn into their worst nightmare and only Grace can stop them from paying the ultimate price.
Roy Grace is a crime fiction phenomenon. The books have sold over 23 million copies worldwide, been previously adapted for six hugely successful stage productions, and transformed into ITV's critically acclaimed drama, GRACE. And, last year, Roy Grace was declared by Her Majesty Queen Camilla as her favourite literary detective.
Picture You Dead is touring major theatres across the UK until 26 July 2025. Tickets are on sale now via peterjames.com.
Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Pretty Woman, Rocky Horror Show) takes on the role of Stuart Piper, an eccentric millionaire art collector who gets tangled up in the dark underworld of stolen art. Ore’s debut performance in the play follows the latest series of Peter James’ Sunday night hit ITV series GRACE.
Actor and presenter Ore Oduba joins Emmerdale star Fiona Wade (2:22 A Ghost Story, Going Dutch). Wade plays Freya Kipling, who naively attracts the attention of dodgy dealers after buying a potentially multi-million-pound masterpiece at a car boot sale.
One of the nation’s favourite TV doctors George Rainsford, (Casualty, Call the Midwife), returns to the role of Peter James’ protagonist DSI Roy Grace, which he played in the 2023 hit production of Wish You Were Dead. And West End favourite Jodie Steele (Bonnie & Clyde, Wicked, Heathers, SIX) stars as the heartless villain, Roberta Kilgore.
Never before seen on stage or screen, Picture You Dead’s story was inspired when Peter James met real-life former master art forger, and now acclaimed copyist, David Henty. Henty was arrested in the 1990s for forging passports and learnt how to copy major artworks while in prison. Mark Oxtoby plays David Hegarty – based on Henty – he has history with DSI Roy Grace, having previously been nicked for forgery. Hegarty is now a reformed man but maintains an air of intrigue.
The full cast features Ben Cutler as Harry Kipling, Gemma Stroyan as Bella Moy, Adam Morris as Oliver De Souza and Sean Jones as Archie Goff. The understudies are Valentina Arena and Ross Telfer.
Picture You Dead is the seventh Peter James book to be adapted for the stage by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna. It 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).
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!”
Ore Oduba said: “I’m so excited to become part of the fantastic cast of Picture You Dead. I’ve watched their excellent performances in front of a packed house and seen audiences have a fabulous time watching the show. It’s great fun and full of twists and turns, comedy and shocks! I am thrilled to be in it!”
Set in Brighton, Picture You Dead sees DSI Grace investigate a cold case that leads him to the rarified air of fine art, but beneath the respectable veneer lurks a murky underworld of greed, deception and murder. When an unsuspecting couple unwittingly buy a potentially long-lost masterpiece in a car boot sale, they discover that their dream find is about to turn into their worst nightmare and only Grace can stop them from paying the ultimate price.
Roy Grace is a crime fiction phenomenon. The books have sold over 23 million copies worldwide, been previously adapted for six hugely successful stage productions, and transformed into ITV's critically acclaimed drama, GRACE. And, last year, Roy Grace was declared by Her Majesty Queen Camilla as her favourite literary detective.
Picture You Dead is touring major theatres across the UK until 26 July 2025. Tickets are on sale now via peterjames.com.
‘PICTURE YOU DEAD’ UK TOUR 2025
3 – 7 June
Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre
10 – 14 June
Glasgow, Theatre Royal
17 – 21 June
Bath, Theatre Royal
24 – 28 June
Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre
1 – 5 July
Truro, Hall for Cornwall
8 – 12 July
Bradford, Alhambra Theatre
22 – 26 July
Southend, Palace Theatre
Please note, Peter Ash’s final scheduled performance is 17 May. Ore Oduba’s first scheduled performance is 20 May.
3 – 7 June
Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre
10 – 14 June
Glasgow, Theatre Royal
17 – 21 June
Bath, Theatre Royal
24 – 28 June
Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre
1 – 5 July
Truro, Hall for Cornwall
8 – 12 July
Bradford, Alhambra Theatre
22 – 26 July
Southend, Palace Theatre
Please note, Peter Ash’s final scheduled performance is 17 May. Ore Oduba’s first scheduled performance is 20 May.