Dial M for Murder

Frederick Knott’s book Dial 'M' for Murder was first presented on the stage by James P. Sherwood in London in 1952 and premiered on Broadway later the same year. In 1954 Alfred Hitchcock directed the now famous film adaptation, starring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. 

The set depicting the Wendice’s 1950s flat designed by Tim Powers and Paul Robbins was impressive. The french windows looked very substantial as did the wonderful tiled fireplace, several doors and other Interesting angles added verisimilitude. Excellent set dressing and props relevant to the period added extra interest.  It was so realistic I would have been quite happy to move in.  Costumes, particularly Margot’s, were in period. Lighting was good. I loved the operational chandeliers and the one technical blip was a shame but it happens. Nice sound effects which worked well and the choice of music kept things tense. 

Set in London in the 1950s, the tense plot involves Tony Wendice, who married his wife Margot for her money, and now plans to murder her for the same reason. Tony arranges the perfect murder: He hires a scoundrel he once knew into strangling Margot, and arranges a brilliant alibi for himself. 

The dialogue, particularly in the opening couple of scenes, is very wordy but is used to plan the murder and build up the tension.  Ian Worsfold as Tony Wendice carried the majority of the dialogue and what a great job he made of it.  An excellent performance throughout and the scene with Captain Lesgate (Don McKay) drew us into the planned murder plot as these two fine actors bounced off each other admirably.  Abbie Lathwell has cornered the market in put upon female characters. Following on from her splendid performance as Bella in Gaslight Abbie produced another first rate performance as Margot Wendice. 

Tony Watson did well as screenwriter Max Halliday, Margot Wendice’s former lover. I would have liked to have heard a bit more light and shade in his delivery which would have helped him relax more but we could hear every word and he conducted himself well throughout. Halliday’s second act scene with Wendice went particularly well. George Kelly is always a good watch and his Inspector Hubbard didn't disappoint.  In a nicely measured performance he solved the crime to everyone’s satisfaction. 

This thriller is not a ‘who dunnit’, we know from the title it involves murder and from near the beginning of the play who the intended victim and murderer are, and the motive for the murder; it is how the story unravels that maintains the suspense. I have to congratulate Abbie and Don (Margot and Lesgate) on executing one of the best and most tense stage/murder fights I have ever seen. 

Isobella Coleman and her team gave us a production which flowed and kept us, the audience, gripped throughout.  Dial M for Murder has long been on my list of plays to direct but I doubt I would make a better job than this from St Neots Players

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