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A life hanging on the line
Illicit lovers: Philip Cairns
(Max Halliday) and Kelly Hotten (Sheila Wendice) Dial M for Murder
Birmingham Rep
*****
Made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic1954 film, Fredrick Knott’s
original play centres on a cold man’s bitterness towards his adulterous
wife and the reactions of irrational thinking. In this
thriller, the question is not one of who committed the crime, that is
already determined from the start, but why and how with the suspense and
gripping tension beautifully built by the sublime cast as we are taken
through the many twists and turns that Knott’s juicy script has to
offer. Knott’s story is deliciously
tense and director Lucy Bailey has clearly taken this to new dimensions
with her wonderful vision. The blood-red set is an allusion to the
passions and motives of each character. When a seemingly absorbing piece
of the story is revealed, the set subtly echoes the remarkably gripping
points of the plot. The excellent use of a revolve
stage is barely noticeable at
The audience are spellbound by
the depth of the plot so that when the perfectly timed effects and
visuals become apparent it creates an experience beyond most crime
storylines. Mic Pool’s sound effects go
hand in hand with Chris Davey’s clever lighting design, setting the mood
for a night of intensity in the sitting room of the Wendice home. Philip Cairns (Max Halliday) and Christopher Timothy (Inspector Hubbard) Bailey’s production was made
complete with a superb cast as Knott’s love-triangle plot was
effortlessly played out, complemented by two other strong characters. Daniel Betts was superb from
beginning to end as he portrayed the complicated and indeed at times
terrifying Tony Wendice. Thinking it is possible to get away with
murder, Wendice is a fascinating, complex and horrifying character.
Betts does more than justice to his passionate thought process and
psyche. Wendice’s wife, Sheila, played
by the wonderful Kelly Hotten is certainly a victim of her husband’s
jealousy and sometimes even a victim of herself. She bravely endures the
unfolding events as Hotten shows great focus and utter empathy with her
character. Philip Cairns who plays Max
Halliday is the subtle hero, a crime writer and the secret lover of Mrs.
Wendice. His character is an instant favourite and Max’s moments with
Sheila are beautifully captivating. Christopher Timothy, perhaps
best known for his TV appearances in Doctors and as James
Herriot, gave a wonderful portrayal as the strong-minded and sharp
Inspector Hubbard. Timothy’s interpretation as
the somewhat questionable policeman at first leads us to believe
something totally different about his persona, without wanting to give
too much away. Hubbard is remarkably quick though and Herriot fits the
role well. The cast is completed by
Robert Perkins who gives us a harrowing Captain Lesgate. Blackmailed
into the thickest moment of the plot, Perkins allows us to see the
thought process of a character at war with morality and personal gain. The acting has an intensity
that brings the characters to life making the performance all the more
electrifying and creating a truly gripping piece of theatre; passionate,
enthralling and intensely invigorating. It is a great night of
entertainment that is not to be missed. To 17-05-14. Elizabeth Halpin
13-05-14
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first,
but as the story unravels itself with the help of an exceptionally
talented cast, the senses become delightfully claustrophobic and intent
on finding out ‘what’s next’.