Witty, fast paced and full of intrigue. Dial M For Murder now on stage at the Westport Country Playhouse, delivers a superbly crafted two hours of murder, mystery and mayhem.
The setting is a mid century modern flat in London. The play opens with Tony Wendrice who enters the corner of a dark stage and lights a cigarette while a single spotlight illuminates him. The dark curtain rises behind him and we see a London flat and a woman who is attacked and murdered by a mysterious intruder. It is quite abrupt and unexpected. Yet Tony slowly strolls off stage with no emotion. We will soon learn that this is the plan he has in his mind for killing his wife and stealing her fortune. It is a foreshadowing of future events, or not? There are many twists and turns on the road ahead.
We next meet his wife Margot and her friend Maxine, a mystery novelist who is in London to promote her new book. We learn that not only are they good friends but are lovers which would certainly be quite scandalous in 1950s Britain. Maxine’s skills as a mystery writer will prove crucial as she matches wits with Margot’s plotting husband. The audience discovers that a racy letter from Maxine to Margot was stolen from her handbag and she is being blackmailed. She confides to her friend that she has paid the hefty ransom for the letter, but she has been double crossed by the unknown blackmailer. The blackmailer we learn is now using the money not only to hire a hit man, but he plans to frame the hit man as well for her murder. That is just one of the many twists in the story that take the audience on a wild ride.
The play was originally written by English playwright Frederick Knott. The play premiered in 1952 on stage in London’s West End and later that year on Broadway. It is best known for the film version directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Grace Kelly and Ray Milland. The current production was adapted by American writer Jeffrey Hatcher in 2022. If you are familiar with the original, you will be pleased that this adaptation has added intrigue and drama.
The excellent cast (all members of Actors Equity) includes Kate Abbruzzese as Margot (credits include various theater, off Broadway and television including a guest spot on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). Patrick Andrews as the scheming husband, Tony (credits include Romeo+Juliet, Red, Camelot (all at Westport directed by Mark Lamos) as well as other productions. Tony award winner Kate Burton as the Inspector (credits include Broadway roles as well as long running roles on Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal ) and has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards . The excellent cast is rounded out by Krystal Lucas as Maxine, and Denver Millord as the hit man.
The play was brilliantly directed by Mark Lamos who kept the audience riveted with a smoothly paced production filled with twists and sprinkled with the right amount of British humor. Alexander Dodge was the scenic designer and the mid century modern set was fantastic and provided the perfect setting. Costume design by Fabian Fidel Aguilar was period correct and especially well done.
Westport Country Playhouse is a local treasure that consistently produces Broadway quality shows right in our backyard. Dial M For Murder is being staged through July 30th 2023. Get your tickets now.
For tickets and information: http://www.westportplayhouse.org
Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court Westport Ct.
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