“Promising in every way” was the verdict on St. Mary’s Amateur Dramatic Society’s first production, “Dial ‘M’ for Murder.” Performed on Tuesday 6 May 1958, the classic suspense thriller written by English playwright Frederick Knott, was a bold undertaking St. Mary’s thespians to attempt. This was because they were taking on a modern and well-known masterpiece.
The play first aired on the BBC as an episode of its Sunday Night Theatre in March 1952. The plot revolves around a caddish retired tennis professional, who concocts an intricate plan to murder his unfaithful wife for her money. The BBC drama was such a hit that West End impresarios clamoured to take it to the stage, where it premiered at the Westminster Theatre, London on 19 June 1952. From there it quickly crossed the Atlantic with its first staging on Broadway being at the Plymouth Theatre on 29 October 1952. But it is probably best known for the 1954 film adaptation, directed by that master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, and starring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly.
The St. Mary’s version won huge plaudits, with one local am dram writer’s only criticism being it was a pity not more had turned out to see it.
Leading man, Patrick Cain, put on a first class performance as Tony Wendice, the ex-tennis star turned calculating wife-murderer. He played his part with confidence and charm. He was witty, smooth and chivalrous. His mood had to change from calmness itself to anxiety, authority, or childish temper in the twinkling of an eye. On his part and its portrayal the play depended, and he fulfilled the role faultlessly. It was remarked that St. Mary’s were lucky in having such an actor as Mr. Cain, and it critics proclaimed that local dramatic circles would be hearing a lot more about him in the future.
Captain Lesgate, a shady ex-convict former schoolmate who Wendice blackmails to carry out the murder (which goes wrong with the hired assassin being the one to be killed in the struggle with Mrs. Wendice), was competently played by Leonard Moore. Despite having to be prompted a few times, and suffering the embarrassment of losing his moustache while on stage, he carried on calmly and thoughtfully. He was praised in particular for the delivery of his lines.
Norah Moore, as the stage wife of Tony Wendice and the person intended to be murdered, knew her lines well and combined this with overall stage-craft, demonstrating excellent familiarity with the flow of the story. Her scene with the murderer was very well done. Perhaps the fact that Leonard Moore (the actor playing Captain Lesgate) was her husband helped, with the couple marrying at St. Mary’s just over a year earlier.
Gerard Walford was competent in the part of Max Halliday, the television crime scriptwriter, and Harold Leather handled well the part of the Inspector Hubbard.
Even the scenery drew favourable comments, being described as first class. The bright, contemporary wallpaper, alcoves in the wall for books, wireless and glasses, and contemporary furnishings, with the exception of the sofa, held everyone’s attention.
Producer Mary North was singled out for high praise. This was her first experience with dramatics, musicals being her regular line of theatrical production.
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