REVIEW: Dial M For Murder at Ensemble Theatre
- Catherine Gunther
- Dec 4
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Death and delight come calling in Dial M For Murder at Ensemble Theatre. The packed opening night was buzzing, the show drawing laughs and gasps. A brilliant production of this sinister and comedic 1950’s play.
Going into the show, I purposely read little about it and its history. It’s my favourite way to enjoy a murder mystery, and one as unique and longstanding as this, deserved that experience of newness. I was absorbed for the entire show, which given we know the who from the start, discovering the how of the murder made it so much more delicious! Every twist, every turn, every reveal was a sheer delight.
Garth Holcombe, our Tony Wendice, was a masterclass in personality switching. From the loving husband to the conniving bastard plotting his wife’s death. The duality of his physicality and tonal changes in his voice sold it. At times I was laughing, at others I was unsettled, physically shying away.
Madeleine Jones, aka Maxine Hadley, our clever crime novelist, was fantastic. Wonderful timing, oozing charisma, you couldn’t help but fall in love with the magic that surrounds her when she’s on a roll.
Kenneth Moraleda delighted as the observant and thorough Inspector Hubbard. Watching him go over the particulars of the murder scene truly made you feel as if you were there, waiting for him to catch someone out on the small details.
David Soncin embodied the brooding Captain Lesgate, and you can’t help but be impressed by his performance of a man driven to villainy through desperation.
Of course there is Margot Wendice, the woman of the hour, played by the mesmerising Anna Samson. Having seen her on stage before I was excited for her performance, and she did not disappoint. Her depiction of a rich heiress blind to her murderous husband was enthralling.
In a testament to the actors, you can feel the palpable chemistry, the affection between Maxine and Margot. Meanwhile the performance of love between Margot and Tony is amusing, but they play their doting partner roles well.
Shout out to the costuming, set design and lighting teams, crafting the world inside this 1950s flat felt authentic, stylish and transportive.
This adaptation was excellent. Gender swapping Max was an interesting change that deepened emotions and the impact of certain events in Act 2. For myself, it was a successful change that landed well. Maxine, you are the female crime writer we need when things go horribly wrong. You had us rooting for you!
Dial M for Murder was a masterclass in theatre excellence. Clever missing details, that in hindsight seemed obvious, had the audience delighting in the great reveal to catch out Tony. From the acting to the costuming, staging and lighting design, all of it was wonderfully executed to immerse you in the story and have you on the edge of your seat wondering just how things will unfold.
Running now until 11th January 2026, for tickets and information click here
