Dial M For Murder – The Lowry

The Lowry Theatre’s production of “Dial M For Murder” is probably one of the best pieces of theatre I have seen in a long, long time.

Having no prior knowledge of the storyline – past the intriguing title and the vaguest of recollections of a film made in 1954 by the king of suspense, Mr. Alfred Hitchcock – I came into the Lowry Theatre on a cold Monday night not knowing what to expect… but nothing prepared me for the theatrical brilliance that awaited me.

The set was simple – one single set, designed to replicate art deco living room-cum-kitchen in London’s trendy Maida Vale that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a 1960s edition of House and Home Magazine. But even in its simplicity, the set was wonderfully dynamic. It was functional, believable, and helped set the scene of mid-20th century middle-class banality.

To give the dynamic set the justice it so richly deserves requires a stellar cast – and stellar they were. With only 5 characters in the whole production, the cast were more than enough to bring this set to life.

I know what you’re thinking: A 2-hour play set in the same single location, with only 5 characters throughout? It’s easy to imagine that this could turn very boring very quickly. But trust me, the makers of “Dial M For Murder” really played to the adage ‘less is more’. At no point was I left wanting more – what they delivered in 2 hours just with a simple set and 4 striking actors had, for me, packed much more of a punch than an all-singing, all-dancing West End production with a whole chorus line of performers.

The beauty and brilliance of this piece really was in its simplicity – every element of this piece was simple, yet dazzlingly effective.

In a production like this, there’s nowhere to hide: no distracting musical numbers, no elaborate costume changes. Just the actors in the spotlight, in non-descript (yet effectively simple) costumes and a beautifully simple set. Huge credit here to the director Anthony Banks and assistant director Ally Manson for their incredible casting, and their relentless focus on getting everything (from staging to dialogue and stage direction) just perfect.

The leading man, Tony Wendice, was played phenomenally by Tom Chambers. His stage presence was electric, and his comic timing was some of the best I’ve seen. Beyond fabulously delivered dialogue that took Chambers through the full spectrum of human emotion, Chambers’ physicality is what rocketed his performance into the stratosphere. Just a few very deliberate glances to the audience, a nervous tick, or an ironic rise of the eyebrow were enough to have the audience laughing aloud, cutting the built-up tension with a giant, comedic knife. I couldn’t imagine a better person to take on the complex and heady role of Tony Wendice – and I’m sure any fan of the ‘54 Hitchcock film would agree.

A leading man with this much gusto requires a leading lady who can hold her own – we got all that and more with Diana Vickers’ dynamic portrayal of damsel-in-distress, Margot Wendice. A former X Factor contestant with multiple number one hits under her belt, I was sceptical as to whether Vickers was simply the “star appeal” in the show to draw the crowds. This may have been the case, but she really made this role her own, and delivered her own standout moments thanks to her magnetic on-set ambience and chemistry with her co-stars.

Christopher Harper had the complex dual role in this piece – In Act 1, as the white collar, blue-blooded Hooray Henry, Captain Lesgate, and the fiercely hard working yet brilliantly funny Inspector Hubbard in Act 2. Much like Tom Chambers, Harper was a true virtuoso of commanding the stage – several times he was close to upstaging his on-stage compadres, simply because of his masterful delivery of dialogue, and his often hilarious physicality in both roles.

Margot’s star-crossed lover Max Halliday is perhaps the only one who was slightly left in the shadows by the dazzling star quality of the rest of the cast. That said, Michael Salami’s character was able to deliver witty repartee with Tony, steamy scenes with Margot, and later create moments of suspense with the wacky and wonderful Inspector Hubbard.

All in all, this production was a fantastically nuanced, witty, beautifully-produced piece of theatre – Instead of dialling M for murder, the audience was left feeling like they had just witnessed something marvellous, something majestic, something masterful.

To witness this pièce de résistance for yourself, “Dial M For Murder” is playing at the Lowry Theatre until Saturday 20th November 2021. https://thelowry.com/whats-on/dial-m-for-murder-2021/

Reviewer: Hannah Wilde

Reviewed: 15^th November 2021

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★