This week sees the latest play based on the works of Peter James come to Nottingham, Picture You Dead follows James’ acclaimed detective DSI Grace investigating a cold case that leads him into the secretive world of fine art, however beneath a respectable veneer lurks a dark underworld of deception and murder.
The performance features an all star cast, among them multiple award-winning former Coronation Street star Peter Ash, who took time out to have a chat with us during the show’s Brighton run last week, having finished rehearsals last month.
“We finished rehearsals in early February and have been on tour since then, we’re in Brighton this week and then up in Nottingham next week.”
After spending the last decade working mainly in TV, this show marks Peter’s first return to stage since appearing in Warhorse back in 2017, so what was it that lured him back to theatre?
“It’s just something I have always loved doing, I grew up with theatre, it’s kind of how I got into it all, through amateur dramatic groups, school theatre plays.”
“Knowing that Corrie was coming to an end I knew I’d love to do theatre again. I did a bit of panto, which was great fun. I just love doing theatre, it’s something I hold dear, so it’s brilliant being part of this new Peter James play.
And so far it’s been a great success
“It’s going great, the audience are loving it, and it’s an amazing cast, so I’m very lucky.”
Returning to the stage is obviously very different to performing for the screen, so we asked Peter how rehearsing differed between the two mediums
“With TV, particularly something like a soap, which has such a quick turnaround, there isn’t much of a rehearsal process really. You turn up, do a line run, then a blocking run, making sure you’re hitting the right marks and cameras and such, and then they film a take.
With something like this play we’re doing now, we had a good three weeks of rehearsal, every day we were in. So yeah, it’s a completely different process to TV but equally as enjoyable.
I enjoy them both.”
As a fan of theatre, one of the things I love most is the more intimate sense of emotion you get as opposed to on TV or film, something Peter understands.
“It’s much more personal. You are right there, you get the audience feedback live. The audience also feels a closer connection, they can see the actual people on stage in front of them, so yeah, it’s great.”
Peter is playing the character David Hegarty in Picture You Dead, who, as he tells us, is based on an actual person, former art-forger and now famous art copyist David Henty.
“He makes perfect copies of masterpieces, like Van Gogh, Picasso, Hopper. Yeah he’s an incredible talent so it’s a really great part to play.”
Though Peter does admit he had no idea about his characters real life inspiration when he took the role.
“We got together for a press event last year and it was only then that I really found out it was based on a real person. I met him that day and he’s quite the character. The things he does, he has such a talent, such an eye for detail. It’s incredible.”
So, playing such an interesting role, based on a real-life character, how did he prepare for performing as Hagarty?
“I guess it’s just reading and re-reading the script, trying to bring the character out of that. I’m very lucky that the script is great, the character pretty much jumps off the page anyway. He’s quite a cheeky chap. He is good at what he does, and he knows it and enjoys it.
It’s just a really enjoyable part to get stuck into.”
Of course, Peter is pretty experienced in playing interesting and complex characters, most notably in how award winning role as Paul in Coronation Street, where his character suffered from MND, which obviously was a role that involved a lot of up front work.
“It was quite an eye-opener really. I knew nothing about MND before I started the story, so I read up about it, met people who have it and their families. We got to learn all about it and once we did we knew we had to portray this as truthfully as we can because it’s such a horrible disease, and the families and carers are such an inspiring and amazing group of people”
The response to the character was really positive, and saw Peter win awards including the Best Soap Performance Award at the 2025 TV Choice Awards. How does it feel knowing that the performance connected?
“I was so blown away with the responses the story line got, it was incredible. I feel very proud to have been involved in that.”
The role has also led to Peter becoming much more involved in the MND community.
“I’m a patron now for the Mel Evans Foundation (an MND charity) and often do fundraisers with Dan Brockleback, who played my on-screen partner, so yeah the MND community have got me for life now.”
While his stint in the soap enabled Peter to stay at home with his family, performing in a touring show like Picture You Dead means being away from home from his partner and young child, so how does he find that challenge?
“It’s tough being away, but most weekends I manage to get home for Sunday and Monday, which is a big help. So, yeah, it’s tricky but it’s just part of the job really.”
Being on tour also means being in different places for periods of time, so does he get much chance to explore the cities while performing in them?
“Yeah, quite a bit. Today, for example, we only have the evening performance, so I’ve had a good walk down Brighton beach which has been lovely. Some days we have two shows so you get a little less time, but you still get the morning to yourself when you do that. So you do get time to explore and visit places in these towns, some of which I have never been to before. It’s really interesting.”
Finally, with Peter returning to the stage, I ask him, if he had the choice of any show, whether Broadway, the UK or elsewhere, he could appear in what would he choose?
“Oh, that’s a tricky question, very tricky. Off the top of my head. I don’t know actually, there are so many to choose from isn’t there. I don’t actually know. I don’t have an answer for that. Sorry, I’m a bit stumped on that one.”
I like to keep you on your toes.
“Absolutely, and that was a very good question. I’d love to try a bit of Shakespear, I’ve never done that, so to work with the RSC would be incredible, the National Theatre, anything like that. Though I did do Warhorse, which was part of the National Theatre.”
Picture You Dead UK tour visits Nottingham Theatre Royal 11 – 15 March. For tickets see peterjames.com
Check back tomorrow for NottinghamLIVE’s review of the show.
Interview by Geri Patterson
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