Arts > Theatre

Picture You Dead

Norwich Theatre Royal

03/04/25

Agatha Christie’s Poirot meets a modern-day sitcom.

Picture You Dead is a drama filled with twist and turns that left many audience members ‘ooo’ and ‘ahh’.

The play begins with Harry and Freya Kipling (Ben Cutler and Fiona Wade). They are the happy, relatable, loveable couple who are thrown into a world of mystery, murder and mayhem.

Funny in parts the play does not shy away from violence. Fighting, death and torture were not done lightly: Archie Goff (Mark Oxtoby), Dave Hegarty (Peter Ash) and Hary Kipling (Ben Cutler) expertly portrayed such fear that made my hair stand on end.

The most notable part of the play has to be the four sets expertly crafted to fit the stage. Yet, when in the moment, they all felt to be completely separate giving the play a realistic, immersive feel.

While dragging you into this world of art and crime, the play remains self-aware: “trust me, I could write a book about it” said by DSI Roy Grace (George Rainsford).

The play itself is based on a book by the UK's number one crime writer, Peter James, who has penned 20 best-selling novels which have been adapted for stage and screen.

‘Picture You Dead’ is currently on a six-month tour around the UK. With some touring productions and even some big-name musicals scaling down since Covid-19, this play does not disappoint.

Lighting (Jason Taylor) and sound (Max Pappenheim) have outdone themselves to make this show feels as immersive as possible. The backstage crew are a great asset to the show with lighting and sound working together to create lightning in the perfect moment. This pathetic fallacy was not overlooked and created more tension in the moment.

One character left more to be desired – Stuart Piper (Nicholas Maude) – the villain whose sarcasm took you out of the play with references to “Brad Pit”, “Lady Gaga” and “Netflix” that felt outdated and as if the character was trying too hard to make the audience see the play was set in our world.

A powerful, strong, heartless character was the female villain Roberta Kilgore (Jodie Steele). She displayed a role for women that is rarely seen. A great testament to female empowerment showing women succeed in all roles not just the victim.

A great play with twists, turns and laughs. I would see it again!