DIAL M for Murder is billed as a thriller. Certainly, in the film adaptation by Alfred Hitchcock, this is apparent.

Not so in Middleground Theatre's production of the play. While it is carefully thought out and executed, suspense and intrigue are lacking.

A great deal of time is spent in the build-up to the murder, but the actual event seems underplayed and in some parts, prompted laughs from the audience. The blues music used as a theme does not help.

While it was director Michael Lunney's intention that it should jar, in practice it just sounds inappropriate.

The use of 'flashback' sound effects also seems undeveloped and not entirely fitting with the conventional production style.

But the play has several strong points. The costume and set are accurate and attractive and the dialogue between characters convincing. While the accents sometimes veer towards pastiche, for the majority of the time they seem perfect for the period.

Steven Pinder gave a convincing performance as cold, calculating Tony Wendice. Richard Grieve was well cast as the glamorous Max Halliday.

Michael Lunney shone as the deadpan Inspector Hubbard. While the part isn't necessarily a funny one, his interpretation provided a contrast to the other characters' clipped formality. The use of film projection is a clever solution to the problem of illustrating what was going on off-set.

It runs until tomorrow (May 28) at the Festival Theatre.

Nione Meakin