CRIME thriller novelist Peter James brought this spinetingling stage adaptation of his most famous book Dead Simple to The Mayflower last night.

And after one of the most gripping edge-of-your-seat evenings I have experience in a theatre he even spent time taking questions from the audience along with all the cast too.

This dark and gruesome story centres on Michael Harrison – the man who has it all: great friends, career and fiancée until a stagnight prank wreaks utter devastation.

What follows is a claustrophobically thrilling and pulse-racing drama, as the story painfully twists and turns playing on many of our deepest fears.

Buried alive it is a race against the clock as our attention focuses on a sealed coffin and Michael’s fight to survive.

Michael Taylor’s clever set design works a treat with the addition of Mark Howlett’s lighting – although we are often plunged into darkness!

Jamie Lomas (Eastenders and Hollyoaks) is outstanding as the hapless Michael Harrison; Tina Hobley (best known as Chrissie Williams in Holby City) is fabulous as honeytrap ice maiden Ashley Harper.

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is brought alive by the charismatic Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street) who together with cop Marc Small delivers much needed comical interludes from this dark, tightly wrought tale.

 It certainly leaves your heart racing and there are some blood-curdling grisly episodes to satisfy all horror enthusiasts.

I jumped out of my seat more than once!

Joshua Brown gives a heart- wrenching tragic and also comic performance as the troubled and intellectually challenged youngster Davey Wheeler unwittingly caught up in a nightmare scenario.

A brilliant piece of theatre, directed by Olivier Award winner Ian Talbot, it is totally unmissable!