Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Renaissance Theatre Company Inc, the producing entity for the Granite Theatre’s opening show of their 18th season is an intense and gripping “Dial M For Murder” by Frederick Knott. Originally written for the stage, this gripping, edge of your seat drama was later made famous by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, who turned it into a cinematic masterpiece. The plot revolves around former tennis player Tony Wendice, who married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder. He blackmails a scoundrel he used to know, into killing her for a fee and arranges the perfect alibi for himself. Unfortunately the murderer gets murdered and the victim survives. But this doesn’t stop the husband who sees his hireling’s death as an opportunity to have his wife convicted for the murder of the man who tried to murder her. With a killer dead and a victim in jail, will the police inspector discover the truth? Will the husband be found out? This murder thriller will keep you spellbound with suspense. Director Brian Olsen casts this psychological thriller excellently, keeping the audience enthralled all night long.
Brian blocks this show wonderfully especially the fight and resolution sequences. His cast has topnotch timing in this show. The beautiful apartment set is by David Jepson while his lovely wife, Beth supplies the costumes. The lighting by David heightens the tension and suspense of the scenes especially the murder scene and the final resolution scene. The script is a little verbose in Act 1 while Act 2’s revelations keep the action moving. Veronica Strickland leads the cast as Margot. She is an excellent actress and gives the character the needed spunk and backbone to stand up for herself against her attacker. Margot also wants to find out who is behind the plot to frame her as well as why someone wanted to kill her. Veronica always delivers the goods in any role I’ve seen her in and her rapport with her fellow performers is terrific, too.
Rick Bagley shines as the devious and cunning husband. He is very smarmy and oozes venom husband who wants his wife dead so he can collect her money for himself. Steve Spartano plays the role of the aspiring American TV writer and supportive boyfriend. His dogged determination to find out what really happened is marvelously played. Fergus Milton is absolutely diabolical as the vile con man who tries to kill Margot. The death scene choreography is terrific as the light from the open bedroom door and the French doors illuminate this sequence. The clever man who builds the case of whether Margot is guilty or innocent is played by Mark Sullivan. He makes Inspector Hubbard into a three dimensional person and not a caricature of copper. The Inspector’s investigative skills delve through things to its unexpected conclusion. Mark plays the Inspector splendidly. It is almost as if Colombo TV show was modeled after this character. So for a show full of clever twists and turns that will keep you guessing what will happen all night long, be sure to catch “Dial M for Murder” at the Granite Theatre before time runs out.
DIAL M FOR MURDER (23 March to 8 April)
Renaissance Theatre Company Inc., Granite Theatre, 1 Granite Street, Westerly, RI
1(401)596-2341 or www.granitetheatre.com
