Former Eastenders favourites are now Looking Good Dead

Just hours after picking up an abandoned USB stick on a train, Tom Bryce inadvertently becomes a witness to a vicious murder.

Reporting the crime to the police has disastrous consequences, thrusting this ordinary suburban household into chaos.

When Detective Superintendent Roy Grace becomes involved, he has his own demons to contend with, while he tries to crack the case in time to save the Bryce family’s lives.

Looking Good Dead, Peter James, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Based on the book by the multi-million number 1 best-selling author Peter James, the thrilling Roy Grace series has been transformed into a gripping on stage performance.

There are twists and turns aplenty and chilling scenes, but these are carefully off-set with well-balanced humour throughout to break some of the tension. – You couldn’t hear a pin drop for two hours!

The Bryce family are having problems. Father Tom (Adam Woodyatt) has over-extended his business to the point of bankruptcy. Stress pushes wife Kellie (Laurie Brett) into compulsively drinking, cleaning and spending and teenage son Max (Luke Ward-Wilkinson) plots to emulate his alienated half-brother and escape the family home as soon as possible.

If you’re an avid Eastenders fan, such as I, it can take a few minutes to get past the reunion of the former soap favourites Woodyatt and Brett (a.k.a Ian and Jane Beale) for what are altogether very different roles as the perfect warring middle class couple who get mixed up in a rather murky world. One can’t help but listen out for the ‘duff duffs’ at final curtain! (Only ‘Enders fan will get this.)

Looking Good Dead, Peter James, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

But their on-stage chemistry is one of the strengths of this production which is way darker than Walford could ever get. But the chilling scenes are carefully off-set with well-balanced humour throughout.

All these plus points are – just about – enough to help us come to terms with the gaping holes in the plot. That said, I didn’t see the main twist coming. But then I’m always the last one to know whodunnit in our house. Amateur sleuths with go home satisfied I’m sure.

All in all, definitely gripping immersive theatre worthy of your ticket price.

Looking Good Dead runs at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Saturday (12th March.) Tickets are available by phoning the Box Office on 024 7655 3055 (phone lines open 10:30am – 2pm, Mon – Sat), or visiting www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are even cheaper.

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