Theatre / Dial M for Murder, by Frederick Knott, directed by Jon Elphick. At Belconnen Community Theatre, until June 6. Reviewed by LEN POWER.

Frederick Knott’s play, Dial M for Murder, is now best known from the 1954 movie of the same name, but it was a big success on both sides of the Atlantic before Alfred Hitchcock got his hands on it.

Elements of the plot keep it firmly in the period that it was written and Tempo Theatre has wisely honoured that. This play is not a Whodunnit, rather it is a Will-He-Get-Away-With-It?

All five cast members give fine performances. Chloe Smith, as the intended murder victim turned major suspect, Margot Wendice, gives a natural, increasingly emotional performance as the legal system slowly closes around her. Sachin Nayak as the crime-fiction writer; Max Halliday, who is also in love with Margot, gives a well-balanced performance of an amusing character who, through his determination, eventually solves the mystery but does not realise he has.

Chris McGrane, as the investigating officer, Chief Inspector Hubbard, quickly shows that he is a force to be reckoned with. McGrane plays him with strength and skill. His character’s highly complex dialogue has tripped up many an actor in the past, but McGrane handles this aspect with great confidence.

Guyren Howe plays the contract killer, Captain Lesgate, with a nicely seedy sense of a man reduced to being a criminal.

Bradley Jones is the evil Tony Wendice who instigates the plot to murder his wife. As elements of his plot change, he adds an extra level of suspense with his fine performance full of unrelenting confidence, charm and dangerous intelligence.

Tempo Theatre director Jon Elphick keeps the heavy plot moving at a fine pace and has given us an entertaining and compelling production of this clever and suspenseful play.