Excited to finally be able to visit the theatre again? Charlotte from the MKFM news team visited MK Theatre to watch Looking Good Dead and here is her review...
Live theatre is back in Milton Keynes as visitors swarm into MK Theatre to watch much-anticipated shows with their family and friends.
The last time I was at the theatre was to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so, as expected, my expectations this time round were a lot different. But as a huge thriller fan, the thought of seeing one brought to life on stage was super exciting.
Looking Good Dead is the fifth Peter James novel to be brought to the stage, following behind The House on Cold Hill, Not Dead Enough, The Perfect Murder and Dead Simple.
So what is a visit to MK Theatre like right now?
COVID-19 restrictions were sent out to guests before the event to allow visitors to prepare for the show.
Like many other venues, the theatre asked that all guests provided a 'COVID pass', anybody can get access to a pass with the NHS app, making it super easy.
The theatre's rules were very clear and everybody seemed to be following them - wear a mask around the venue, unless you are eating or drinking.
There was a huge buzz around the theatre, as visitors prepared for their long awaited show.
As a brief explanation of the plot, the show begins with us meeting debt-ridden business man Tom Bryce. Tom Bryce is desperate to make ends meet for his wife and children and just as things seem to be looking up, he gets caught up as a witness to a murder... or is he?
Adam Woodyatt, best known as Ian Beale on Eastenders, made his theatre return in Looking Good Dead as main man Tom Bryce. Adam's excitement to be back on stage was clear from the start. He was so engulfed in the role he was playing I almost forgot where i knew him from!
His stage partner, fellow soap star Gaynor Faye (Coronation Street and Emmerdale), played a realistic wife to Tom Bryce with modern day arguments and situations bringing the characters to life.
The role of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, the main man in charge of solving the investigation, was play
ed by understudy Lee Peck.
Without being told, I would have had no idea that the role wasn't originally his. Lee Peck adapted to the role and played a realistic police officer.
The police quickly became known for making funny and relevant 'dad jokes', creating pockets of light and laughter throughout the dark and thrilling performance.
As somebody that doesn't usually scare easily when it comes to thrillers, there was definitely a few moments that made me jump in my seat. The clever set arrangements meant the actors could appear on stage at any given time, without warning.
There was plenty of gripping moments throughout the show that left audience members itching to shout "Don't do it" to the cast. Like many thrillers, it was predictable that things were only going to get worse and as the show went on, the story only got darker.
Looking Good Dead had us on the edge of our seats from start to finish.
Details of further performances of Looking Good Dead and upcoming productions can be found on the website.
