Dial M for Murder is a classic tale; made into a Hitchcock film in 1954 it remains a great thriller with enough twists and turns to keep everyone enthralled.
Tom Chambers as Tony Wendice and Sally Bretton as Margot Wendice | Photo © Manuel Harlan
The plot revolves around the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice who discovers his wife Margot has been unfaithful.
He plans revenge and therefore creates the “perfect crime” which is subsequently muddled by human error and creates a web from which it is hard to escape.
Tom Chambers is a slick and persuasive Wendice, creating the crime and handling the fall out with equal control and disconcerting charm.
Sally Bretton is long-suffering Margot, the wife paying the price for a moment of infidelity. Christopher Harper as Inspector Hubbard is an excellent foil for the continuous web of deceit from Wendice; he is equally convincing as Captain Lesgate.
Michael Salami as Max Halliday brings a measure to the proceedings as he implements his crime writing talents.
As with all good thrillers the script is demanding and at times brings the pace down, however as the piece moves towards its conclusion the suspense and storytelling is excellent.
It is well directed by Anthony Banks with a fine set and costume design from David Woodhouse.
At times the abstract transitions feel a little out of place of an otherwise era perfect piece.
The full house clearly enjoyed the production; whether you already know the story or are completely new to it there is definitely a fine crime to be solved.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
Dial M for Murder, by Frederick Knott and directed by Anthony Banks, is showing at the Theatre Royal in Bath until Saturday 15th February 2020.
For more information and tickets, visit the Theatre Royal website.
