Adam Woodyatt has swapped the Queen Vic for the stage as he stars in Looking Good Dead, the latest Peter James thriller to come to Milton Keynes Theatre, writes Chris Gregg.
Although Adam's performance as dysfunctional money-strapped Tom Bryce isn't far from Ian Beale, it makes this production feel instantly familiar as a seemingly ordinary evening takes a very dark turn as Tom and his son Max (Luke Ward-Wilkinson) witness a murder on their laptop screen when they click a link on a memory stick found on a train.
When the producers of the snuff movie track them down, the family's lives are turned upside down and they must rely on DS Roy Grace to crack the case.
Peter James is the master of the incredulous plot twist and this is a show which is entertainingly far-fetched as ever more unlikely details are revealed and clues are dropped with minimal subtlety.
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At times, the show seems to not be taking itself too seriously, as if aware of how far the plot stretches credibility - there is a moment when the killer says "after all, I need you to be... Looking Good Dead" before the scene ends with a blackout and dramatic incidental music!
There are some good performances from Gaynor Faye who plays Tom's wife Kellie Bryce - another soap veteran who's been in Corrie and Emmerdale.
DS Roy Grace is normally played by Harry Long although on opening night, he was played by the more youthful understudy Lee Peck who gives a strong and believable performance, despite having to deliver a lot of exposition in his dialogue. He has great chemistry with Leon Stewart, as his sidekick Glenn Branson who delivers an unending stream of 'Dad jokes'.
This is an exciting and entertaining production with slick scene changes and cultural references that feel very current. DS Roy Grace and his team take a backseat as the plot focuses on the Bryce family and strong performances from the leads makes it easy to become invested in what happens to them.
This is a fun and entertaining night out if you accept it for what it is and don't think too hard about the plot afterwards.
Performances continue to Saturday. To book tickets click here
