Lexington Park, MD – The mystery thriller, Dial M For Murder by English playwright Frederick Knott, opens this weekend at The Three Notch Theatre in Lexington Park, presented by special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc. Directed by P. Wade Thompson and produced by Beth Sanford.
Dial M For Murder originated as a BBC TV production; it premiered onstage in London in 1952 and later that same year opened in New York City. Knott himself wrote the screenplay for the 1954 Hitchcock film of the same name. It was initially shot in 3D, and starred Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, and Robert Cummings. It was considered one of the greatest 3D movies of its time, but played in 3D only in a limited number of theaters and was eventually converted to 2D.
Act I opens as “You Belong to Me” blares from the radio in the London apartment of Tony and Margot Wendice. Flirtatious Margot (Lauren Arena-McCann) shares a drink with her former lover Max Halliday (Steven Pugh), an American who writes TV detective shows. He regales her with ideas for various plots. Their past affair is not yet known by her ex-tennis star husband, Tony (Jeff Maher). Margot confides to Max that she fears she’s being blackmailed and that their affair will come to light. Her purse had been stolen at Victoria Station and now the thief is in possession of a love letter from Max which she carried with her. She adamantly insists that Tony must not be told about their previous intimate relationship.
Tony arrives home, interrupting their tete-a-tete. He declines to accompany Margot and Max to the theatre, offering the suggestion that the spare ticket be sold and the money used to buy themselves a few drinks. As soon as Margot and Max depart, Tony is on the phone to arrange for the purchase of a car – a ruse he employs to lure the car’s presumed owner—Captain Lesgate (David Randle)—to his apartment.
Lesgate arrives and recognizes Tony as the tennis champ he was – they’d even attended college together. Tony has now given up tennis and walks with a cane. He deals in sporting equipment and relies on his wife’s fortune for his “play” money. It seems that Margot’s blackmailer is actually Tony – who knows all about her affair with Max. He hatches a plan to murder her and acquire her wealth. What could possibly go wrong? Jeff Maher creates a particularly devious characterization as Tony; he slowly but surely draws Lesgate deeper and deeper into his evil scheme and relishes divulging every detail of his wife’s affair. Dr. Maher is mesmerizing as he delivers page after page of detailed punctuated with only occasional reactions and input from Lesgate. It turns out that Lesgate has secrets of his own to hide, and Tony makes him an offer he just cannot afford to refuse. Tony endeavors to entice his old acquaintance with the “carrot” of 1,000 pounds for murdering Margot.
The cleverly-designed set encompasses the apartment’s entrance through double-doors at the back of the stage (with a staircase in the hallway beyond, visible when the doors are open), the window with its ample curtains suitable for hiding – well – almost anything (or anyone), and the comfortably furnished living room which fills up the stage in-between. Tony gives meticulous directions to Lesgate for carrying out his plan, demonstrating how to move about the room and indicating where the key is to be hidden; Lesgate is finally persuaded. As the somewhat reluctant potential murderer, Lesgate, Mr. Randle appears in his third NPT role. Previous roles include Howard in Picnic (his memorable NTP debut) and Dr. Stone in A Few Good Men. He successfully conveys Lesgate’s frustration at being backed into a corner by Tony and justifies any empathy the audience may feel towards him.
The next scene finds our threesome of friends – Margot, Max and Tony -enjoying drinks in the apartment. Max is relaxed and affable in Tony’s presence. Max and Tony leave for a night “out” while Margot remains behind to update Tony’s scrapbook clippings. The stage is now set for the crime.
Kudos to Director P. Wade Thompson for his inspired casting of Ms. Fuesel in the role of Inspector Hubbard. In his director’s notes, Thompson admits that he has been in love with Alfred’s Hitchcock’s films since his college days and has hopes of eventually directing all of Hitchcock’s films which originated onstage.
Ms. Feusel emerges as the unexpected star of this play, creating an endearing character who perseveres on Margot’s behalf. In the 1952 NYC production, the role of Inspector Hubbard was played by John Williams (who reprised his role in the Hitchcock film).
Sound and lighting design are by Tom McCarthy, in his third NTP production. He holds a BA in Technical Theatre from the University of MD and is a pilot. Diane Trautman has once again masterfully organized all the props essential to this production. She is retired from SMCPS and is Three Notch Theatre’s Secretary. Evocative costumes of the 1950’s are by Stacey Oosterink, a NTP veteran costumer, director and actress. Stage Manager Lewis Beckley, also an NPT veteran onstage and backstage, keeps everything running smoothly and efficiently with his organizational prowess, ably assisted by Meg Pugh as she endeavors to become part of the overall NTP theatre experience. The beautifully-designed set was built by Lauren Arena-McCann, Joe Bowes, Mike Culbreth, John Davis, Thom Esposito, Drew Fisher, John Herr, Chris Joyce, Kristen Kaiser, Dave Kyser, Jeff Maher, Tom McCarthy, Charlotte Orren, Jaia Parker, Meg Pugh, Steve Pugh, Ginger Serafin, and Mike Sokoloff. NTP’s Artistic Director is Dawn Weber.
Performances run through February 26; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees start at 3:30 p.m. For more information you may access www.ntpshows.com, or you may dial (301)737-5447.
