Dial M for Murder

What’s So Important About the Fifth Step?

A Theater Review by Julinda D. Lewis

By: Virginia Repertory Theatre (Virginia Rep), The Barksdale Season

At: Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover, Virginia 23069

When: March 28 – April 27, 2025

Ticket Prices: $54  

Info: (804) 282-2620 or www.virginiarep.org

Dial M for Murder is a classic 1950s stage thriller, a murderous melo-drama filled with plot twists and scandal. Tony Wendice married his wife Margot for her money, and now he wants to get rid of her – but he also wants to keep her money. The logical solution, since this is a Hitchcockian style murder mystery, is to kill her. Thanks to their mutual friend, a successful American crime writer named Max, Tony has the background – and the motive – to plan the perfect murder. But will he be able to get away with it?

Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation kept the basic plot and Frederick Knott’s location: a 1950s London flat, but one major change is that  Hatcher changed the Wendice’s friend Max, with whom Margot had and broke off an affair, from Max to Maxine. This means Margot was engaged in a lesbian affair and gives even more of an edge to the scandal since same-sex partnerships were not exactly acceptable in the 1950s.

Tony’s carefully planned plot goes awry, but he quickly improvises a Plan B, resulting in Margot being charged with the murder of the man Tony had hired to kill her. Margot doesn’t know who to trust, and if not for the fortuitous partnership between Maxine and a keen-eyed detective, Hubbard, this play might well have ended with her hanging from the gallows. Fast-paced and seasoned with a dash of humor, Dial M for Murder is a deliciously entertaining divertissement. Unlike some of the serious – and seriously good – theater I’ve seen in the past few months, this play doesn’t require you to think about social issues, it doesn’t draw parallels with historical events, and it doesn’t attempt to teach us moral lessons. It’s pure fun – a class murder mystery with smart plot twists and stereotypical characters we recognize and welcome into our lives for a little over two hours.

5 Motives for Murder

Money

Fear

Jealousy

Revenge

To protect a loved one

This production has a stellar cast, many of whom will be familiar to those who frequent local theater. Margot is played by Ashley Thompson (5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, Dr. Ride’s American Beach House, and Buried Child). Tony is played by Alexander Sapp (Peter and the Starcatcher, Sweeney Todd). Maxine is played by Rachel Dilliplane (5 Lesbian Eating a Quicke, The Laramie Project, and Moriarty u/s). The shoes of the would be hired killer, Legate, are filled by Adam Turck (Constellations, The Laramie Project, The Inheritance, Animal Control, Buried Child). The newest face was that of Jim Meisner, Jr. in the role of Inspector Hubbard. Dial M for Murder marks Meisner’s Virginia Rep debut and his first performance after a more than 25-year hiatus from the stage.

The sexual tension between Margot and Maxine is obvious from the opening scene, highlighted by Thompson’s conservative couture and wig and Dilliplane’s more bold fashion choices and short haircut. No separate credit was given for wigs, so I will assume that Sarah Grady gets the well-deserved credit for both hair and costumes. Even the tan trench coats play an important role later in the denouement when Inspector Hubbard sets a trap to expose Tony.

“Everything has its price.” – Tony Wendice

Sapp is smooth with his lies in front of the other cast members and a master of the villainous side eye when playing to the audience. Turck is suitably sleezy as Tony’s corrupt former classmate turned hitman. And last but not least, Meisner is heroic as the blustery bumbling Inspector. (Is anyone else old enough to remember the bumbling TV detective, Colombo?)

This impressive ensemble was under the capable direction of Mel Rayford, also making their VaRep debut. Rayford skillfully guided the cast and audience through all the twists and turns, through layers of subplots and intrigue, encouraging us to find amusement in murder, to willingly turn corners into fictional depravity, and then to vigorously applaud when we emerged, safe and sound and strangely exhilarated for having taken the journey.

A Word of Caution

Beware of anyone who puts mushrooms in their spaghetti.

(You’ll know why if you’ve seen the play.)

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Julinda D. Lewis is a dancer, teacher, and writer who recently had both knees replaced due to a manufacturer’s recall. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she now lives in Eastern Henrico County where she can be found kicking up  her heels as best she can any day of the week.

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DIAL M FOR MURDER     

Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher (2022)

From the Original by Frederick Knott (1952)

Directed by Mel Rayford

Cast

Ashley Thompson ……………….             Margot Wendice

Rachel Dilliplane …………………             Maxine Hadley

Alexander Sapp ………………….             Tony Wendice

Adam Turck ………………………             Lesgate

Jim Meisner, Jr. ………………….             Inspector Hubbard

Kendall Walker …………………..             Margot U/S, Maxine U/S

Travis Williams  ..…………………             Lesgate U/S, Hubbard U/S

Chandler Hubbard ………………             Tony U/S

Direction & Design

Direction ………………………….             Mel Rayford

Scenic Design ……………………             Frank Foster

Costume Design …………………             Sarah Grady

Lighting Design …………..………            Steve Koehler

Sound Design …………………….            Jonathan Pratt

Fight Director …………………….             Casey Kaleba

Dialect Coach …………………….             Nicole Cowans

Stage Management ………….…..            Hannah Hoffert

Assistant Stage Manager ………..            Amber Hooper

Photographer ……………………..            Aaron Sutten

Videographer ……………………..            Austin Lewis

Ticket Information

Box Office: (804) 282-2620

www.virginiarep.org

Ticket Price: $54

Run Time

The play runs for approximately 2 hours 15 minutes; including one intermission.

Photo Credits Aaron Sutten