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| Playwright Frederick Knott |
Dial “M” For Murder
By Frederick Knott
Directed by Andrew K. McGill
Reviewed by Craig Nolan Highley
Entire contents copyright © 2012 by Craig Nolan Highley. All rights
reserved.
Dial “M” for Murder is one of
those theatrical stalwarts that every theater company tackles at one time or
another. It’s an extremely popular piece, which is surprising, since it is also
one that is very difficult to get right. The script shows its age; it’s creaky
and often slow, and requires strong performances and creative directorial
touches to keep it interesting.
Clarksville Little Theater mostly gets it right with their current
production, thanks mainly to some very solid acting and lighting effects,
enhanced by a fantastic set and period-correct costumes. This is especially impressive considering the
show’s troubled production history: Due to an emergency the original director
had to drop out halfway through rehearsals, allowing actor Andrew K. McGill to
make his helming debut.
Originally performed as a BBC television play before transferring to
London’s West End, and then to Broadway (all three productions in 1952), Dial “M” became legendary when Alfred
Hitchcock filmed it two years later. It is an early example of the “howcatchem”
genre of murder mystery (later popularized by the Columbo television series) in which the audience knows full well
whodunit; the suspense is derived by figuring out how they will get caught.
The story focuses on has-been tennis star Tony Wendice, living off the
graces of his wealthy wife, Margot. When his plot to have her killed goes
horribly awry, he switches gears and manages to frame her for murder.
Jason Potts lays on the oily charm as Tony in what is undoubtedly the
show’s best performance. Adrielle Perkins is also spot-on as Margot, creating a
real flesh-and-blood person as opposed to simply playing the victim. Director
McGill makes the most of his brief turn as the ill-fated hired killer, and
Larry Chaney is completely believable as the smarter-than-he-seems detective on
the case.
The set (designed and built by ten credited persons) is really
something, believably conveying a 1950s-era London apartment for the affluent;
and Mr. Chaney’s moody lighting design truly builds suspense during many dimly-lit moments in the play.
On the downside, the show does have some pacing problems, with far too
many dramatic pauses and a lot of air between the lines. And it is in those
moments that the age and dryness of the script really come through. Also some
music would have helped set the mood, especially during the show’s nearly
wordless murder sequence. But if you can overlook those shortcomings, the plot should
hold you in suspense.
Overall, the production overcame its shortcomings and created a solid
atmosphere of mystery and intrigue, a promising debut by a new director on the
local theater scene.
Dial "M" For Murder
Featuring Adrielle Perkins, Matthew Browning, Jason Potts, Andrew K.
McGill, Larry Chaney and Howard Whitman.
September 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 15 at 8:00pm
Clarksville Little Theatre
301 E. Montgomery Ave.
Clarksville, IN 47129
Clarksville, IN 47129
812-283-6522
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