STAGE REVIEW Dial 'M' for magnificent in New Castle

J.E. Ballantyne Jr. has done a splendid job of casting this foray into the almost-perfect crime.
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
NEW CASTLE -- Hmmm. What is that phrase about "best-laid plans" often going awry? Well, Tony Wendice's plans certainly went awry in Friday's opening performance of the thriller "Dial 'M' For Murder" at New Castle Playhouse's Annex Theatre, but performance-wise, virtually nothing else was amiss.
This taut drama by Frederick Knott remains a suspenseful nail-biter as a wealthy young wife turns the tables on her would-be assassin, killing him in the process. But wait, all is still not well.
Plot
The intended victim's husband, it seems, had hired the killer to begin with. He finds, to his horror, that she has killed the killer, and thus, he is forced to go to further machinations in turning things to his advantage by framing his innocent wife for murder and covering his own tracks, all under the watchful eye of a suspicious detective.
Money, as usual, is the motive, not to mention the fact that the wife, Margot, had had an affair with another man, but for sheer guts, Tony Wendice is indeed well-supplied. He just didn't count on Margot being similarly endowed, maybe even more so. With each twist of the "knife" he holds in her back, he watches his plans begin to come to fruition until ... well, go see for yourself where the key to this mystery lies.
The action takes place within the Wendices' apartment in London.
Cast
Starring as the malevolent Tony was Brady Flamino in a brilliantly cold, calculating performance.
Cast as his adulterous wife was Regina Olszewski-Reynolds, whose interpretation of the bewildered victim was very well-wrought.
John D. Holt gave a superb turn as her former lover, Max Halliday, a mystery writer whose imagination has an uncanny way of nearly arriving at the truth.
Cast as the would-be murderer, Captain Lesgate, was Larry C. Baker, who gave a splendid rendition of the man with a shady past who is drawn further into crime by the ice-cold revenge-minded Tony.
Giving an excellent performance as well as a little bit of comic relief as Inspector Hubbard was Alex Kraner, who handled things almost as an amalgam of Columbo, Kojak and the great Alfred Hitchcock who directed the 1954 movie version that remains a true classic. Even his slight muffing of lines at times was appropriate for his character.
Completing the cast in a small role as Thompson, a policeman, was Dennis Wallace, who conducted himself with proper aplomb for his moments on-stage.
Director J.E. Ballantyne Jr. has done a splendid job of casting this foray into the almost-perfect crime. Special kudos also go to scenic designer George A. Orr for an extremely well-detailed set.
So take a ride to New Castle Playhouse for "Dial 'M' For Murder." I'll bet you never look at scissors the same way again.
clark@vindy.com