DIAL M FOR MURDER REVIEW

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – UNTIL 20 NOVEMBER 2021

REVIEWED BY ANGELOS SPANTIDEAS

3***

Dial M for Murder is an interesting story of mystery with a twist of comedy with only a few characters and a story that does not fall far off the standard crime and love script that has been repurposed for screen and stage. The idea is simple, jealous husband plots the murder of his cheating wife but fate and a cunning inspector have other plans. The whole story takes place on a very well designed and detailed stage that could be taken straight out of a magazine for interior design, with every inch of the stage being taken advantage of to create the illusion of a real home.

The performance of the four actors is on point, the husband, Tony Wendice (played by Tom Chambers) is shown as crazy, most times over the top, which makes sense since the character decides that the punishment for adultery, is premeditated murder. The love affair of Margot Wendice (played by Diana Vickers) and Max Halliday (played by Michael Salami) is full of passion and the two have extraordinary chemistry on stage, both feeling very comfortable showing affection and being around each other. Christopher Harper plays two roles, for the first half Captain Lesgate and for the second Inspector Hubbard, with his transition between the two roles being so smooth that the audience needs a minute before they realise it is actually the same person behind both characters.

As a whole, the story is an interesting attempt at partnering thriller with comedy, and it is entertaining throughout. However, every key plot twist of events seems to be happening too easily which takes the realism out of the experience and in the end leaves the audience feeling like something was missing. For example from the wife being choked to death to her regaining her senses and stabbing the killer with a pair of scissors within seconds there is a lack of evidence in that leap of action. Similar points of excess simplification were Captain Lesgate accepting to murder the wife, the wife’s trial outcome, and even why would she be allowed to leave the prison before her death penalty.

Overall, Dial M for Murder is a light play, with many bits of comedy that bring laughter to the theatre and a cast that does a very good job at bringing the characters and their distinctive personalities to life, that ultimately succeeds at making the audience lay back and enjoy a whimsical show.