LAW AND ORDER

George Rainsford is really excited. He’s playing Detective Superintendent Roy Grace in a touring stage adaptation of Peter James’s bestselling thriller, Wish You Were Dead, and he couldn’t be happier.

“I haven’t been on-stage for about 10 years,” says George, “so it’s good to be part of an ensemble again.”

This absence from the boards is explained by the nine years he spent playing Ethan Hardy in BBC One’s Casualty. Before that, in the first two series of Call The Midwife, he was Jessica Raine’s unfaithful boyfriend, Jimmy Wilson.

After time spent learning his craft at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art, George gravitated to theatre work. “I’ve always enjoyed the live element of doing a play - the audience reaction, the adrenaline it generates and so on. And the reaction we are getting from audiences so far on the tour has been amazing. They seem to be loving it!”

He auditioned for the lead role of Roy Grace last August. “It’s a fantastic part, something I can really get my teeth into.” As a result, he’s been reading author Peter James’s backcatalogue of murder-mysteries - “always so beautifully plotted” - and watching the first two television series of Grace, starring John Simm as the eponymous policeman.

The TV series was an immediate success with audiences when it launched on ITV in 2021almost nine million viewers tuned in to watch the primetime drama. Series two hit TV screens in spring 2022, the five episodes being the most watched programme across all channels on each of the Sundays they were broadcast. A third successful series has just finished on ITV.

The twist in Wish You Were Dead is that Roy is on holiday in France with his wife, Cleo, and their baby. “He’s not working,” explains George. “But when a crime boss, Curtis, is released from prison, he’s a man desperate to take revenge on the policeman who got him incarcerated. So, crime comes looking for Grace.”

Is it scary? “I hope so. Roy has to use all his wits to ensure his loved ones come to no harm. It’s full of surprises. I think audiences like being scared. Hearing the audience jump and gasp each night is great! But it’s also great funthere’s quite a bit of dark comedy that audiences are really enjoying.”

Will it involve fisticuffs? “Oh yes, a bit of that, and possibly some bodies - although I’m not about to give the game away.”

George knows all about pretend-fighting. In a play at the RSC in 2009, he was required to look as though he’d landed a punch in a bar-room brawl on fellow actor Luke Norris. On one occasion, he misjudged the swing and made heavy contact with Luke.

“The result was that I hit him in the mouth with enough force for his teeth to puncture his lip and take a chunk out of the joint on my fist. He looked worse than me, but I ended up in hospital for a week.”

Wish You Were Dead is the sixth stage adaptation of Peter James’s novels, making it the most successful crime-thriller theatrical franchise since Agatha Christie.

Previous James novels brought to the stage are: Looking Good Dead, starring Adam Woodyatt and Gaynor Faye; The House On Cold Hill, with Joe McFadden and Rita Simons; Not Dead Enough, starring Shane Richie and Laura Whitmore; Dead Simple, with Tina Hobley; and The Perfect Murder, starring Les Dennis and Claire Goose.

“I’m really enjoying touring, visiting places I’ve never been before,” says an enthusiastic George. “I’m only able to get home once a week, or Sunday wash day, as I call it.”

George is joined in the production by Clive Mantle, with whom he’s worked before - they were both in a Doctor Who audio drama. “And then there was an edition of Pointless Celebrities, featuring actors who’d been in Casualty. As I’m sure he’ll be only too happy to point out, I was kicked off at the end of the first round, and he and his partner went on to win.”

As George predicted, Clive is indeed only too happy to mention Pointless. “I thrashed him roundly,” he says, eyes glinting. “I left him snivelling in the dirt. I’ve won Pointless twice, as it happens. I’ve half a mind to pin my Pointless trophies to my dressing-room door as we tour the UK, to wind George up.”

Clive fell in love with his character of crime boss Curtis as soon as he read the script of Wish You Were Dead. “He’s been the head of a mob based in Brighton; an old-fashioned family villain with his own set of values. He has a personal moral code, which covers slitting your throat without a second’s thought. And don’t you dare say anything bad to his mum.”

Curtis also has a lovely turn of phrase, says Clive. “He’s very sharp, very sarcastic, often very funny. I’ve enjoyed making the audience laugh - they seem to quite like Curtis, despite his criminal intent, but I do also like to frighten the audience at some points in the evening!”

In a career covering some 45 years, Clive has played everything from poor, lumbering Lenny in Of Mice And Men (“seven times now, I think”) to surgeon Mike Barratt in both Casualty and Holby. He was also a recurring character, Simon Horton, in The Vicar Of Dibley. More recently, he was seen in another light comedy, White Van Man, opposite Will Mellor, who was a big success on Strictly last year.

“I played his dad, and he taught me a lot about comedy. But then, I taught him everything he knows about dancing!”

Wish You Were Dead shows at Theatres Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 9 - Sat 13 May; Malvern Theatres, Mon 12 - Sat 17 June; The Alexandra, Birmingham, from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 June

Events previews from around the region Events

Spring Diesel Festival

Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, nr Kidderminster, Thurs 18 - Sun 21 May

A variety of classes and traction types will be roaring through the Shropshire and Worcestershire countryside this month as part of the Spring Diesel Festival. Attendees can ride behind the best of the diesel home fleet alongside a number of special guests. These include: a Class 58 No 58023, a Class 56, Class 57/3 (pictured), Class 47 47712, and a set of push-pull DBSO coaches. Visitors can swap trains whenever they wish and stop off at a variety of stations along the way.

Makers

Bringing together makers, creators, artists and hobbyists from across the world, Makers Central returns to the NEC this month.

The 2023 edition of the show features live demonstrations, talks, an exhibitor zone displaying machinery, hand tools and software, and appearances by YouTube stars and influencers from the makers community (including UK inventor & maker Colin Furze). Hands-on workshops in pyrography, drone-making and engraving also feature.

Peppa Pig’s Aquarium Adventure

National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, until Fri 2 June

This brand-new event sees Peppa Pig diving into a SEA LIFE Centre adventure and making friends with some of the venue’s 2,000 underwater creatures. Families can take part in a fun interactive trail around the aquarium - along the way spotting seahorses, counting starfish and finding out how fast sharks can swim. A variety of fun activities also feature, including bracelet and jigsaw-making.

From the producers of some of the world’s most famous circuses comes the all-new Circus Extreme.

Presented by an ensemble of wellestablished circus artists, the show brings together clown escapades and hair-raising stunts, many of which have never before been seen in the UK. Performers include Guinness World Recordholding highwire act Ayala Troupe, the Extreme freestyle motocross team, internationally renowned aerial performer Laura Miller and the critically acclaimed Henry the Prince of Clowns.

Events previews from around the region

Events

1940s Week

The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, Cosford, Sat 27 May - Thurs 1 June

Step back in time to the 1940s this May half term, as the RAF Museum celebrates the launch of its brand-new Bomber Command exhibition.

Visitors can try their hand at ‘make do and mend’ crafts, learn the secrets of ration cooking and enjoy a classic war film.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 May

Taking the theme of ‘gardening for everyone’, this month’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival features a brand-new Tips & Tricks Area, where visitors can learn how to creatively upcycle or re-use items for their outdoor space.

Other attractions at the show include the Bloom & Grow Area - a great place to pick up handy hints and tips from gardening experts - and the Fire & Feast Theatre - hosting live demonstrations by talented chefs and local

Birmingham Pride

food producers.

The Festival Theatre, meanwhile, is the place to head if you want to catch up with TV gardening personalities and leading horticulturalists - including BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Frances Tophill.

New for 2023 is The Potting Shed Theatre, where a number of green-fingered professionals will share their specialist gardening knowledge in a series of sure-tobe-enlightening sessions.

Weston’s Spring Fling

Weston Park, Staffordshire, Sun 28 & Mon 29 May

Enjoy a day (or even a weekend) at Weston Park this Whitsun bank holiday, courtesy of the venue’s Spring Fling event. Visitors can explore and enjoy the whole estate throughout the two days, engaging in a selection of family-friendly activities along the way - from taking walks around the parkland and relaxing in the formal gardens, to running wild in the Woodland Adventure Playground and journeying around Temple Wood on the miniature railway. The event’s line-up of attractions also features local artisan food producers, unique crafts, street food and fairground rides. Live music comes from the Dirty Rockin Scoundrels.

Birmingham Gay Village & Smithfield, Birmingham, Sat 27 & Sun 28 May

Celebrating the Midlands’ LGBTQIA+ community, Birmingham Pride once again gets the city partying this month. It’s expected that more than 40,000 revellers will attend the event across the weekend, with an impressive 75,000-plus people either participating in or watching the annual Pride parade through the city’s streets. The festival’s Smithfield site is the centre of the action, featuring a main stage, the Conrad Guest Cabaret Stage and a dance arena. Headline acts include Sugababes, Gabrielle and B*Witched.

The Pride ‘street party’ - taking place in the heart of the Gay Village - and the quieter, family-friendly Community Village Green also return.

Shropshire County Show

West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury, Sat 27 May

With a history dating back to the mid-19th century, the Shropshire County Show attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Main-arena entertainment for the 2023 edition of the event includes death-defying aerial stunts by the Bulldog Lings motorcycle display team and the ever-popular Shropshire Young Farmers float parade. Visitors can also wander around the shopping court, sample food in the Taste Of The Shires area, and enjoy live music at the Village Green bandstand. There’s plenty to keep younger visitors engaged too, with a number of children’s activities inspired by the show’s theme of Science & Nature.

The Realm Of Zog

Warwick Castle, Sat 27 May - Fri 29 September

Following on from its roaring success in 2022, The Realm Of Zog makes a welcome return to Warwick Castle.

As well as checking out the available-allyear-round Zog Playland - the world’s first Zog playground - summertime visitors can also sample the interactive Zog And The Quest For The Golden Star trail and Zog Live Show, both of which are included in the

The Baby Show

The Baby Show offers parents and parentsto-be the chance to check out a wide range of products and services.

Visitors can try, compare and buy products whilst also enjoying exclusive ‘show deals’ from over 300 brands, including well-known names such as Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, MAM, price of a day ticket. For families who simply can’t get enough of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s muchloved dragon, there’s also the Zog Storytime Break. The experience includes a meet & greet with Zog and an overnight stay in one of the castle’s woodland lodges or medieval glamping tents.

Gaydon Land Rover Show

British Motor Museum, Warwickshire, Sun 7 & Mon 8 May

Marking the 75th anniversary of the Land Rover, this year’s get-together at the British Motor Museum features hundreds of cars, including Defenders Series 1-3, Discoverys, Range Rovers, and the number-one preproduction Land Rover, HUE 166, from 1948. Jaguar Land Rover Experience will also be at the show, offering Land Rover drivers the chance to put their vehicle through its paces.

A popular feature of the show is the Live Talks stage, which hosts panel discussions and celebrity Q&As covering all manner of parenting and baby subjects, from birth prep to life-saving first-aid skills.

Coronation events from around the region Events

King’s Coronation Party

Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham, Sat 6 - Mon 8 May

Legoland Discovery Centre is hosting some royally good fun over the bank holiday weekend.

Little princes and princesses (accompanied by an adult) can celebrate the King’s coronation by taking part in themed building challenges, trying to spot the royal family hidden in the attraction’s Miniland, and taking advantage of a royal photo opportunity.

Coronation With The Characters

National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton upon Trent, Sat 6 - Mon 8 May

A Royal Cheer

The Black Country Living Museum is this month raising a royal cheer to past royal celebrations - from Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee all the way through to the coronation of King Charles III. Visitors will find out how Black Country folk celebrated kings and queens across the years, learn about the royal souvenirs that were made in the region, and discover the truth about King Edward VIII - the king who never had a coronation. They can also give a helping hand to numerous historic characters - including Mr Singh, the pub landlady and the bossy street-party organiser - before taking part in some royal celebrations. And don’t forget to come suitably dressed for the occasion!

Favourite children’s characters will be out in force at National Forest Adventure Farm as the popular venue celebrates the coronation. Highlights include meet & greets, coronation party games, a royal disco and the chance for youngsters to make a crown. The farm’s indoor and outdoor play areas will be open across the weekend, as will the animal barn and outdoor paddocks.

Coronation Street Party

Drayton Manor Resort, Tamworth, Fri 5 - Mon 8 May

Drayton Manor is pulling out all the stops for its coronation celebrations and extending its opening hours to 9pm.

Visitors over the bank holiday weekend will not only be able to enjoy the venue’s plethora of rides but also check out street-party entertainment throughout the day, including mascot Rory’s very own coronation show. A line-up of tribute acts and DJs will provide a soundtrack to the celebrations, after which there’ll be a fireworks finale to round off proceedings with a great big bang.

A Coronation Celebration

Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire, Mon 8 May

Hartlebury’s Coronation event includes an opportunity to learn about the numerous royal visitors who’ve stopped off at the castle across the centuries.

Reproductions of clothing worn by King George III and Queen Charlotte - who paid a visit in 1788 - will be on display, while for younger visitors there’s the chance to be ‘crowned like a monarch’ in the Great Hall. Falconry displays in the castle’s carriage circle also feature in the venue’s programme of bank holiday attractions.