Tracker Pixel for Entry

‘Dial M for Murder’: the unraveling of a perfect crime

Theatre | October 11th, 2017

The F-M Community Theatre summarized the story: “Tony Wendice has married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder. He blackmails a scoundrel he used to know to strangle her for a fee of one hundred thousand pounds, and arranges a brilliant alibi for himself.“

Unfortunately, the murderer gets murdered and the victim survives. This plot-twisting play was written by Frederick Knott and was premiered on stage in London’s West End in 1952. Knott is known as the writer who would also write the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s famous 1954 film adaption of the work, starring Grace Kelly.

“The show is built as a stage thriller, so everything that the director, designers, and cast have crafted is mindful of setting the proper tone and building suspense as the plot unfolds. It takes a certain kind of director to properly layer in these elements and get everyone on the same page in executing moments big and small with precision.

“James DeBrito has done a wonderful job assembling and guiding a top-notch cast to bring individual character motivations to the front of their performances. Every mystery has a motive and methodology as an undercurrent running constantly beneath it, and that pulse of electricity driving the action is true of this production,” commented Adam Pankow, The Artistic Director of Dial “M” for Murder.

“Audiences may be familiar with the Alfred Hitchcock movie from 1954, but the experience will be quite different seeing this classic show play out on our stage. We hope that audiences will appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into all the elements necessary for a truly masterful murder mystery.”

Director’s Notes

“I tend to believe thrillers are the theatergoer’s guilty pleasure. It promises to get your adrenaline flowing as the action inexorably leads to the unraveling of the perfect crime. Though it’s indeed a guilty pleasure, Dial ‘M’ for Murder is not just empty calories. That’s because the playwright, Frederick Knott, combined a facility for crafting suspense (the placement of a key, the timing of a phone call, the loss of a silk stocking) with profound character study.

“When you think of an Agatha Christie mystery, you probably think of the details of the murder or how the murderer gets caught (“I’ve gathered you all here because… one of you is the murderer!”) But when you think of Dial ‘M’, you think of the characters: Tony, Max, Lesgate, Inspector Hubbard, and of course, the radiant Margot. That’s why Alfred Hitchcock, the undisputed master of the psychological thriller, largely left the script intact when he chose to adapt Knott’s play for the silver screen.

“The play, written in 1948 but not produced until 1952, is probably best known in its 1954 screen incarnation, the first film to be shot in color by director Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense himself. The play is not a whodunit in the Agatha Christie mold, although there are similarly spiraling twists of logic and deduction. This is more along the lines of Columbo in that we know who did it (or wants to) and why; the question is whether he’s going to get away with it. During rehearsal, we had several invigorating discussions revolving around the themes of infidelity, deceit, and privacy boundaries.

“I am grateful to have had this opportunity to work with this imaginative, passionate, and professional cast. I would like to also express my thanks to the FMCT administration and creative team. I am dedicating my directorial effort to my 91-year-old Italian father Frankie DeBrito.”

FMCT presents the thriller play, ‘Dial M for Murder,’ on October 6 – 7, 13 – 14 at 7:30 pm, and October 8, 15 at 2:00 pm at the Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St S, Fargo. FMCT is a nonprofit organization that has been producing live theatre for 70 years. FMCT has been a huge inspiration of discussion and participation from community members, by producing and performing quality pieces of theatre.

Recently in:

MayFargo MarathonNow - May 20Youth run Thursday, 5K Friday night, 10K, half and full marathon, entertainment along route on Saturday. fargomarathon.comKids to Park DayMay 20Bring the kids to Theault Farm in Fargo for crafts,…

By John Showalter john.d.showalter@gmail.comHuman rights is a subject that often comes up in the media. One has only to tune in to any of the major news broadcasters to hear heated debate and discussion regarding the treatment of…

Event by Moorhead Parks & Recreation and Swing Barrel Brewing Company, LLCW. H. Davy Memorial Park, 1st Ave & 8th St N, MoorheadTuesday, June 27, 5:30-8pmThe Gina Powers Band + Petting ZooHeather & Thistle Pipes and DrumsArt…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comOur opinion: Keep your chins up, class of 2023As the school year draws to a close, this seems to be the time of year when most editors offer up their best advice to the most recent graduating…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comCan Someone Tell Me Why Sneakers Sell for $1.5 to $2.2 Million a Pair? It has to be something other than quality. I shop for used books in thrift stores because I have discovered thick books given…

We are looking for 55-gallon plastic food grade barrels, do you have ideas or connections?We use these barrels to teach our resilient yard workshop series including Make Your Own Rain Barrel and Make Your Own Compost Tumbler. If…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.comSpring has finally sprung. It’s time to bounce out of the house and try a few new places to eat. Let’s explore what restaurants are trending on the Fargo-Moorhead Eats Facebook page. With nearly…

Event information provided by Morgan Thompson, Marketing and Sales Associate, FARGODOMEMThompson@fargodome.comIt’s the official kickoff of summer, and the return of the best BBQ around and look who’s going to be there! Getting…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comUntil I saw “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” I really thought the cinematic expression of the multiverse concept had peaked with the triumphant Best Picture Academy Award for…

Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead  April 25, 3:30-7:30pmPaint a rock, make a stranger smile and be a part of the movement! Keep your rock or add it to the pile to be labeled, sealed and…

By Eric Dallmanericd@hpr1.comWe recently watched “The PROM” at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and it was an experience that left a lasting impact on us. The story, a heartwarming yet familiar one, follows a group of Broadway stars…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comSpring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer. Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just…

By John Showalter  john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…

By Traci Sethre  traci.sethre@gmail.comAn integral piece of fencing is your mask. Its integrity keeps you safe. It’s typically painted black to hide your face…

By Ken and Alice Christiansonsubmit@hpr1.com HB 1332 is currently before the North Dakota legislature. The bill proposes to permit social workers to use a discredited treatment method to convert the sexual orientation of gay and…