By JULES SHINKLE
BG Independent News
“So. How would you murder me?”
The opening line of “Dial M for Murder” is playfully grim – little does Margot know just how much thought has been put into the question.
Toledo Repertoire Theatre is putting on Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of “Dial M for Murder” under the direction of Nancy Wright. Catch the show Nov. 6-8 and 12-15 at 16 Tenth Street in Toledo. You can purchase tickets online or at the box office.
“Dial M for Murder” is an intricately plotted thriller about getting away with a not-so-perfect murder. Margot (Leigh Yenrick) and Tony Wendice (Garrett Monasmith) are in a loveless marriage where the pretenses are still kept up. Margot was in an extended affair that ended a year ago, but with her lover back in London, clearly their flame wasn’t totally snuffed out. While they catch up, Margot reveals that she’s being blackmailed on account of a misplaced love letter.
Tony, seemingly none the wiser, is motivated to hold the marriage together out of fear that he’ll be broke without Margot’s generational wealth. The ends to which he’ll go to achieve security are what set the play in motion.
Those familiar with the Alfred Hitchcock movie might notice, from the start, that Hatcher’s adaptation considerably alters the original script by Frederick Knott. The most impactful change has to be the choice of Margot’s extramarital lover, Maxine Hadley (Emily Waters). Their lesbian affair adds another layer of secrecy and high stakes; should they be outed, Maxine’s career as a crime-fiction author would dissolve, or worse.
Another genderbent role is Inspector Hubbard (Cindy Bilby), now a woman. Hubbard’s steely, professional disposition in the film is replaced with a chipper, disarming smile. Her cheeriness is, like each other characters’ fronts, a bit of a ruse.
The machinations of betrayal and manipulation remain the same. These edits are a fresh coat of paint that introduce more dimension to the characters and their relationships to each other.
In an inversion of the “whodunit” genre, the killer’s identity and dastardly plot is revealed quite early. The enticing mystery behind “Dial M for Murder” is in wondering who manages to outsmart who – a mastermind criminal with whip-smart instincts, or their equally savvy opposition. It’s a battle of wits until the very end.
“Dial M for Murder” rewards observant viewers with an eye for detail. Clues are doled out at a steady pace that encourage the audience to take stabs at the final reveal. You’ll want to pay attention to what constitutes as evidence: What’s the nail in the coffin that proves guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt?
The plot gets difficult to parse towards the climax, but only in a way that feels earned. There’s no slight of hand that cheats the audience out of fully grasping the case. However, you’ll have the most fun if you keep notes on the tricks happening on stage. A hand on a glass, a letter in a bag – nothing is an accident.
The Toledo Repertoire has done a great job putting on this classic of intrigue. The beautiful set, excellent performances, and updated script make “Dial M for Murder” worth phoning up.
