Review by Jennifer Mustoe, Front Row Reviewers
Opening at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo is the delightful murder mystery Dial M for Murder, and it is a thriller dash romance dash interesting psychological piece you mustn’t miss. If you’ve seen the 1954 movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock, you’ll love this stage production. If you haven’t seen the movie, you’ll love this live production. The story is simple. Tennis star Tony Wendice (Brenner Finch) discovers his wealthy wife Margot (Andy Morgan) had a brief affair with Mark Halliday (Matthew DelaFuente). Tony retires from his tennis career and along with working at a boring job, devises a plot to kill his wife by blackmailing an old associate, ne’er do well Captain Lesgate (Isaac Maltby) to murder Margot. The murder attempt fails, Margot kills Lesgate in self defense, but is accused and convicted of the murder of Lesgate. Inspector Hubbard (Matthew Carlin) investigates the crime.
Though the plot is rather straight-forward, the actors make the story compelling. The interactions between the husband and wife, the wife and the lover, and the husband and the lover are top notch. Finch portrays Tony as debonair but as the play progresses, becomes increasingly anxious and may I say, shifty eyed? to the delight of the audience. Margot is a lovely creature, classy, well-spoken, committed to living with Tony and believing all is well in her marriage. But seeing Max again has clearly stirred up old flames. Morgan as Margot is beautiful. She is vulnerable, composed, and has the class of the wealthy. She floats as she walks and it’s a pleasure to watch her vacillate between husband and lover, who strangely are almost always together onstage. Of course, Margot doesn’t realize that Tony knows of the affair, but can’t help but worry that he might. But on they go, the happy trio, and the audience knowing that Tony is planning to murder Margot ramps up the tension. These three actors show this progression admirably. DelaFuente as Max is perfect. He strides along, the right combination of realist, sweetheart, and confident in his job as a TV writer of, as luck has it, murder mysteries. Maltby as the bad guy is brilliant. He begins his discussion with Tony as a snappy gent hoping to make a sale on a car. As Tony blackmails Lesgate, describing Margot’s murder, Maltby devolves into a trapped animal, at times angry and other moments resigned to becoming a murderer. I felt sorry for Lesgate, even though he’s clearly a bad buy, and this is due to Maltby’s precise knowledge of his character’s multi-faceted representation in the play. Finally, Carlin’s charming Scottish accent and wry demeanor as he works out the solution to the murder is delightful. Carlin has precise mannerisms and a way of speaking that if you’re not looking would seem wholly his own. But I know a great actor when I see one, and Carlin is one. Rounding out the cast is Amy Carlin who plays a variety of smaller roles. She has one cheeky smile in one scene that makes her talent sparkle. Look for it.
The set for Dial M for Murder is gorgeous, thanks to the scenic construction, painting, and props by Spencer Powell, Katrina Young, Emma Snow, Patrick Egbert, Anthony Wright, Leah Harvey, Nicholas Tucker, Tyler Boylan, Rayna Sannar, and Robert Seely. Lighting Design by Powell, and Technical Director Seely complete the setting and the result is classy yet lived in. The details made me feel as if I was viewing a real front room in an upscale first level apartment in London. Costume, Hair, and Makeup by Jessica Moody brings these characters to life. I especially liked Margot’s wafting pink floor-length gown accessorized with a glittering necklace and earrings in Scene One, showing her delicate beauty and her money. Max’s manly leather jacket is just what a man who writes about crime would wear. And that hat and pipe of the Inspector’s. It’s simply dapper.
Director Reese Purser has used a deft hand in giving his actors the opportunity to put their own talents into their characters. He has given them lots of understandable and logical blocking, which gives the piece a reality that is pleasing. The synergy between all the actors is obvious, and Purser knows how to get everything he can from his talented cast.
Dial M for Murder at the Covey is just exciting enough to give you that murder mystery thrill. Come enjoy the live action version of a classic film. You’ll love it.
Note: We see Lesgate strangling Margot. It is brief but could be upsetting to some patrons.
Covey Center for the Arts presents Dial M for Murder, by Frederick Knott.
Covey Center for the Arts, Brinton Black Box (on upper level), 425 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601
July 27-August 19, 2023, Monday, Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $18-$20
Contact: 801-852-7007
Covey Center for the Arts Facebook Page
Promotional video
0 Comments