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Review of Peter James’ Looking Good Dead at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford starring EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt and Laurie Brett, best known for playing Ian and Jane Beale

I was a bit worried that watching Adam Woodyatt and Laurie Brett working together again on stage would just remind me of Ian and Jane's characters in EastEnders.

I've not watched the BBC show for years but I remember their characters well and their rollercoaster married life full of trouble and strife.

Adam Woodyatt and Laurie Brett reunite for Peter James' Looking Good Dead. Picture: Jack Lawson
Adam Woodyatt and Laurie Brett reunite for Peter James' Looking Good Dead. Picture: Jack Lawson

Anyway, I shouldn't have worried, the characters they play in Peter James’ murder mystery Looking Good Dead, are a world apart from their TV roles in the hit drama.

The pair star in the whodunnit play which is currently showing at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, and you can tell from the moment they come on stage they know how to work together perfectly and the familiarity between them shines through in what ever roles they are playing.

The stage adaptation of Looking Good Dead is based on Peter James’ 2006 novel, and is currently touring the UK and if you like a good murder mystery thriller, then this is right up your street.

The show is currently on at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford
The show is currently on at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford

It's a brilliant production of the novel and fits on the stage perfectly and not to give too much away, it's a story about a married couple suffering consequences after Tom, the husband, (Adam, who is currently living in a motorhome), brings home a memory stick which he found abandoned on a train.

However, the move inadvertently puts his entire family in danger when he and his son become witnesses to a murder and seeing how the family and the police try and solve the case, keeps you on the edge of your seat until the bad guy is finally revealed.

Each scene of the play slides effortlessly into the next and there is a clever bit of trickery on set which takes you to a whole other dark and murky world.

It's got quite a few laughs too and two brilliant twists until the police crack the case, but of course, I'm not giving away any spoilers you will just have to get yourself down to the theatre to see the fantastic show yourself.

Adam and Laurie are phenomenal in the play, but so are the rest of the cast, it's as thriller not to be missed.

Looking Good Dead runs at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford until Saturday, March 5.

Book tickets online here or call 03433 100033.

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