Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
From Tuesday, October 15 to Saturday, October 19, 2024
Review by Tony Flood
Dial M for Mayhem uses the same play-within-a-play technique adopted so brilliantly by Noises Off and The Play That Goes Wrong, but it fails to match these hit shows despite moments of backstage hilarity.
The action takes place in May 1991 when a disjointed touring company arrives in the Highlands of Scotland to put on Frederick Knott’s classic 1950s thriller Dial M For Murder.
The set-up in the first act is too cluttered, although there are some amusing exchanges as the actors try to cope with a series of setbacks, including the unpredictable Scottish weather and their van breaking down, which leads to squabbles.
Act Two shows their attempt to play the famous murder scene in Dial M for Murder, captured perfectly in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film starring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. It results in backstage chaos which provides laugh-out-loud slapstick.
But for the most part, Margaret May Hobbs’ script is overwritten and at times resorts to cheap attempts at comedy.
Michael Lunney’s direction and busy set designs fail to sufficiently engage the audience in one of Middle Ground Theatre Company’s less successful productions. There are humorous moments but we often have to wait too long for them to occur as the dialogue becomes wordy.
The cast copes well. Under pressure ‘director’ Sean Farrell (convincingly played by Luke Rhodri) has to deal with fractious relationships, malfunctioning equipment and missing props. He never gets around to developing a potential relationship with lead actress Samantha Middleton, superbly portrayed by Isabella Inchbald. She hams it up splendidly when a rat escapes from its cage.
Nor does Farrell manage to control ageing former Hollywood star Rupert Valentine Tinglewell (Alasdair Baker). Farrell tries without success to broach the subject of Tinglewell’s behaviour and persistent flatulence as he wanders around in his underpants.
Eliza Langland delivers some of the best lines as Jean Murray, who manages the Village Hall in which the play-within-a-play is staged.
She takes more than one part as does the talented Alasdair Baker and Joey Lockhart, while Theo Woolford completes a versatile cast, playing the frustrated and disruptive Andy Jenkins.
* Middle Ground Theatre Company, founded in October 1988, has previously presented Dial M for Murder among its 30-plus productions.
