Review: DEAD LIES, Lichfield Garrick - UK tour
Photo credit: Rhian Cox
Written by best selling crime writer Hilary Bonner, Dead Lies is described as a story of murder, scandal, sexual indiscrimination and political intrigue. Set in the present day and with sarcastic nods to lockdown, Boris’ “party gate” and a trustful government. It’s a relevant piece for current times and the audience reactions shows that a collective part of society agrees with most of the highlighted points.
Directed by Joe Harmston, Jeremy Edwards plays Peter George, an MP who is part way through a fierce election campaign. He promises a new kind of politics, beyond the sleaze and spin, but what skeletons are hiding in his cupboard?
Welcomed by the British public as they trust him to restore their trust in the disaster that is the political system, media attention appears to threaten his future.
How far is he prepared to go to save his career? How far are the people surrounding him willing to go for his cause? And who is this man from his past and what hold does he have over the possible next Prime Minister?
Edwards appears strong as he portrays the role with a clear influence of part Cameron and part Blair. However, none of the characters are particularly likeable and it is hard to invest in what is happening to them or what has happened in their past.
The writing is very wordy and is a little rushed in places as the cast appear to try and fit it all in, so it’s easy to miss information that feels like it is being thrown at the audience at pace.
Relationships between characters also seem slightly forced. We are expected to believe that Peter George is having a long-standing passionate affair with his advisor, but until it is actually mentioned in the script, it’s not apparent. There are no subtle undertones leading up to that point, so it feels somewhat like an afterthought of a storyline, amongst all the politic context.
It’s an intriguing story, but some scenes are drawn out. A running time of over 2 hours is lengthy for a play with so much content, so this could be improved by potentially cutting repetitive or unnecessary scenes, which would make it more enjoyable to follow.
Hidden secrets, twist and turns, but weighed down by content.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin
Dead Lies plays at The Garrick, Lichfield until 29 May and tours until 1 July, with tickets available here.