Walking into the theatre to watch Wish You Were Dead I was expecting to be on the edge of my seat for a suspense-filled two hours, but, unfortunately, it failed to thrill, though there were some stand-out performances.

The production, based on one of Peter James's short stories about the Brighton-based detective Roy Grace, saw the DS attempting to relax on a holiday with his wife, baby son and American friend in France.

The Argus: Peter James and George Rainsford ahead of the launch of Wish You Were Dead at the Theatre Royal in Brighton Peter James and George Rainsford ahead of the launch of Wish You Were Dead at the Theatre Royal in Brighton (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton)

However not all was as it seemed as the trio arrived at the creepy chateau where of course there was thunder and lightning, no phone signal and no internet.

The French maid, who reminded me of an Allo Allo character, stalked the corridors, the armour "moved", the eyes of the beheaded stuffed animals on the walls "watched" and panic grew as the fourth in the party, Jack, failed to show.

But it wasn't the house that did any haunting, rather Grace's past, and the trip soon turned into the holiday from hell.

George Rainsford's performance as Grace was excellent.

The actor, who has returned to the stage following an eight-year stint on BBC drama Casualty, was compelling and dramatic.

But he was utterly at odds with the rest of the cast, who were more comedic and flustered, as if he was in a completely different show to them.

I’m A Celebrity winner Giovanna Fletcher played Grace’s wife Cleo Morey, and Clive Mantle took on the role of the production’s villain.

The Argus: George Rainsford and Clive Mantle in Wish You Were DeadGeorge Rainsford and Clive Mantle in Wish You Were Dead (Image: Theatre Royal Brighton)

The chemistry between Rainsford and Fletcher was convincing.

There were moments of humour that I felt extinguished what tension there was.

The first half dragged, but things did begin to pick up in the second half with some good action and a bit of fisticuffs.

The blundering villains gave Scooby Doo bad guy vibes “and I would have gotten away with it too, If it weren't for you meddling kids” which was amusing but also jarring.

I kept wondering, is this a thriller or a comedy?

I really wanted to like this play, and perhaps I went in expecting the wrong thing, but I left feeling disappointed.

Wish You Were Dead is playing at the Theatre Royal in Brighton until March 25.