The Revenge
of the Stag Do
Dead Simple
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Until 30th May 2015.
Every twist and turn of
the UK’s most treasured crime and thriller writer’s classic story
is brought to the stage.
Michael
Harrison is a successful property developer. He is about to marry the love of
his life, the beautiful Ashley, whom he met through his business. Ashley’s
Uncle Bradley has come across from Canada for the wedding and he
isn’t complementary about some English customs such as drinking tea.
 |
Gray O'Brien as Detective Roy Grace
& Tina Hobley in Dead Simple
Photo: Alastair Muir
|
Michael
has left the arrangement of his stag do to his business partner, and best mate
since school, Mark. Michael has been a bit of a prankster in the past and left
grooms in embarrassing situations on their stag nights so he is concerned about
what they have in store for him. Mark assures him that he has nothing to worry
about but then gets called to a business meeting in Leeds. The others start the
celebration without Mark but the lads’ plans start to unravel after their van
crashes.
 |
Photo: Alastair Muir
|
Young
Davey Wheeler helps his Dad recover the vehicle from the sight of the accident
and he finds a clue which could help solve a major problem: Where is Michael?
The only problem is that Davey doesn’t want to admit to his Dad that he took
something from the crash scene. Bride to be Ashley pleads with the police to
start a search for her other half even though the time that had elapsed was
quite short.
Detective
Sergeant Branson decides to bring Detective Superintendent Grace on board
despite his recent ridicule in the press. Grace had used a psychic called Zoe
Frame to assist in a recent case and the press had used this against him.
The
set is split into 3 which has enabled director Ian Talbot to keep the narrative
flowing. Mark Howett’s lighting design
is able to pick out the action including the coming and going of various
vehicles. The only disappointment was the odd sound of
gunfire which sounded like it was a computer game rather than a firearm.
 |
Jamie Lomas as Michael Harrison
and Tina Hobley as Ashley Harper
in Dead Simple Photo: Alastair Muir
|
The
talented cast are great storytellers. Award-winning soap heart throb Jamie Lomas
(EastEnders, Hollyoaks) and Holby City’s Tina Hobley are
fantastic as the loving couple of Michael and Ashley. Emmerdale’s Rik Makarem
is convincing as the lifelong best mate, with all of the baggage that
comes with that. The police roles of
Grace and Branson are confidently handled by Gray O’Brien and Marc Small.
Special
mention should go to Josh Brown in his first professional theatre role as X-box
playing Davey Wheeler. He had the bulk of the laughs and was a character that
the audience could quickly have empathy for.
The
story twists and turns in order to keep the audience guessing in a way which
would make Agatha Christie proud. In a tale that draws shocks and laughter in
equal measure, it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. It is an experience which shows how the
collective live theatre experience can excel over television.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East
Theatre Guide by Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo,
Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Tickets:
Dead Simple
appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 26 – Sat 30 May 2015 (Evenings: 7.30pm,
Matinees: Wed and Thur 2.30pm).
Tickets from £14 (online price)
Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or
select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
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