Richmond Theatre – until 18 January 2020
Reviewed by Carly Burlinge
5*****
Dial M For Murder was first premiered at Westminster Theatre in 1952 and was also made famous and well known by Alfred Hitchcock’s film. Adapted by Frederick Knott’s and directed by Anthony Banks.
Margot Wendice (Sally Bretton) is a wealthy women who is married to Tony Wendice (Tom Chambers) an ex tennis pro who decides to give it all up for his loving wife. However when he discovers that she had an affair a year ago with a professional crime writer Max Halliday (Michael Salami) he tries to blackmail her into making her come clean. She chooses to keep things quiet and continues to go along with the blackmail in order to not get caught. Because of this he then decides to begin to plot the perfect murder. This involves him also blackmailing an old acquaintance from school, Captain Lescate (Christopher Harper) to help him but unfortunately things don’t quite work out as planned taking a turn for the worst. Leaving a murder to be solved by Police Inspector Hubbard (Christopher Harper).
This production is well worth a visit for Tom Chambers outstanding performance as Tony Wendice, a very calm, collective and confident character who has also played the part as charming and talkative using his chat to just about get out of any situation. He has only one thing on his mind though and that’s to get away with murder.
Margot Wendice (Sally Bretton) is a strong and likable character throughout, handling some of the more dramatic scenes with some powerful acting keeping the audiences at the edge of their seats.
Max Halliday played by Michael Salami, plays a very enthusiastic, adventurous writer with a lots of energy which was entertaining and enjoyable to watch on stage.
Christopher Harpers work as Inspector Hubbard was very distinguished as he plays an upfront, bold and blunt detective who with his very expressive ways had the audience in laughter throughout the play, giving a good sense of dramatic but also lively and amusing performance.
Played in the flat of Tony and Margot Wendice, the set is lavish and beautifully done to a high standard with great props.
The lighting and sound were extremely vibrant and loud with great music including some creepy tunes for some of the more tragic and dramatic scenes which was gripping and exciting to watch.
This is definitely a must see production with a great cast full of intensity, superb acting. An all round fantastic night out that you won’t want to miss.