I WENT to see Dead Simple at the Wyvern during its run last week. This thriller by Peter James was very good, in fact I would say it’s one of the best examples of this kind of “murder” play I have seen at the Wyvern.

On arrival I saw a notice stating the show’s star Tina Hobley wouldn’t be appearing and her understudy would be taking the role over for the performance. I have to say the understudy did very well but she wasn’t who I had gone to see. I accepted the replacement thinking that the show’s star was ill maybe. However, after the show I looked on her social media account and found to my astonishment she was in fact on holiday abroad. There was even a photo of her on a sun lounger, and she had also posted a message wishing her understudy well.

I think it was wrong of this show to be advertised as starring Tina Hobley and for huge posters of her to be hung around the town when management surely must have known full well she wouldn’t be appearing. I think the star of a touring run, apart from illness, should do every show and not leave the run for a week’s holiday. So 10 out 10 for the play but zero out of 10 for the main star’s commitment, as the Swindon part of this tour was let down.

STEVEN SHEEN Grange drive Swindon