Dial M for Murder is not what you would call a “Whodunnit”, as that much we already know. The murder is committed for all to see, right in the middle of the stage so, instead of wondering who committed the murder, the audience at the Devonshire Park Theatre is left guessing who will get the blame for it.
Retired tennis professional Tony Wendice (Oliver Mellor), who married Sheila (Emma Campbell-Jones) for her money, wants her dead after he finds out about her affair with crime writer Max Halliday (Marcus Hutton). He hires former school mate Captain Lesgate (Philip Stewart) to strangle Sheila but the plan goes disastrously wrong when she picks up a pair of scissors and stabs him to death instead. Will Tony get away with framing Sheila for Lesgate’s death? Or will the cunning and resourceful Inspector Hubbard (John Hester) get the better of him?
The entire production is tense, vivid and gripping due to the totally believable performances by all five members of this superb cast, brought together by the newly established phil&ben Productions, a company with the express mission of bringing high quality drama to regional audiences – a task that they accomplish with a combination of style and an incredible attention to detail.
Oliver Mellor, as the scheming husband Tony, is perfectly suited to play the sportsman who has recently given up his profession to concentrate on being the perfect husband. His charm and charisma could entice some people to hope that he might actually get away with it, despite his cold and calculating manner.
Emma Campbell-Jones, would fit very nicely in the 1950s with her elegant gracefulness as Sheila. Heartlessly manipulated by Tony, she is distraught after killing Lesgate and descends into near madness as the inquest and trial approach.
Marcus Hutton portrays Max, the English crime writer who has spent the past year working in America. He left before the affair was discovered by Tony and, even after the affair becomes a part of the criminal investigation, his undying love and affection for Sheila is so obvious it is almost painful to watch.
The unintended victim, Captain Lesgate, is played by Philip Stewart (one half of the phil&ben Productions team). Tony initially blackmails Lesgate into taking on the job of murderer, but his mercenary nature means that he needs very little in the way of persuading to take on the job.
We have to wait until after the interval for the arrival of Inspector Hubbard, but he is well worth the wait. John Hester, who will be celebrating 40 years in “the business” next year, proves to be a worthy adversary for Tony Wendice. Hester dominates the stage with every appearance and his catchphrase, “Oh, just one more thing” has everyone desperate for him to succeed.
As the production company have set out to achieve, Dial M for Murder is a very classy production. There is a strong attention to detail in the one room set while, with clever use of lighting and sound, and with the five superb performances, the audience stay firmly on the edge of their seats right through to the final curtain.
***** Five Stars