Dial M for Murder
Writer: Frederick Knott, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Director: Mark Kilmurry
Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli
November 28 – January 11, 2026
Ensemble Theatre’s season finale is a delicious treat for lovers of suspenseful thrillers. Many may be familiar with the brilliant Hitchcock film, but this stage version, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher in 2022, refreshes dated material to suit a more contemporary audience.
Tony Wendice (Garth Holcombe), Margot’s husband, is seemingly charming and affable, but seethes with disappointment. After failing as an author himself, he chafes under his role of publicity officer at a publishing company. Afraid of losing Margot’s wealth via a divorce, he coolly plans her murder with the assistance of an old university acquaintance, the sleazy Lesgate (David Soncin). A seemingly foolproof alibi is worked out, but unfortunately it’s Lesgate who dies in the attack. His death sets in motion the labyrinthine action of the plot, with its breathtaking twists and turns, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Within a ’50s-style set (Nick Fry) exuding brown leather cosiness, we meet the wealthy socialite Margot (Anna Samson), and her friend, Maxine (Madeleine Jones), a successful pulp thriller writer, discussing their current problems. Their interaction hints at an ongoing or previous lesbian relationship (one of Hatcher’s updates) and Margot reveals she is being blackmailed about their affair. The noir ambience is enhanced by Matt Cox’s moody lighting, creating patterns of shadowy dark spaces, and a Hitchcockian-style soundscape (Madeleine Picard).
Mark Kilmurry directs his excellent actors with a sure hand, allowing the convoluted narrative to unravel at a brisk pace, while maintaining clarity for the audience. Garth Holcombe manages to simultaneously imbue the character of Tony with both charm and chilling menace. Anna Samson, as Margot, is impressive as she depicts a woman suddenly facing danger, nervously pacing about the stage. David Soncin, as the hired killer Lesgate, makes a short appearance but manages to project a believably down-and-out sleazy air. Madeleine Jones delivers a delightful Maxine injecting a sense of vitality and modernity into the moody conservative atmosphere, but Kenneth Moraleda, playing the seemingly bumbling but shrewd Inspector Hubbard, is probably the audience’s favourite.
Surprisingly, the witty dialogue does produce some chuckle worthy moments, essential in a production so laden with suspenseful tension and the opening night audience certainly showed their enthusiastic appreciation. The Ensemble’s Dial M is a delightfully noir piece of theatre, making it a must-see for this festive season.
