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| Matt Newhard |
"Frederick Knott wrote two of the most famous thrillers for the theatre, the 1952 Dial M for Murder and 1966 Wait Until Dark. Both plays are receiving productions in the Phoenix area this season and first up is a perfectly thrilling production of Dial M at Desert Stages Theatre.
A flawlessly conceived suspense thriller is very hard to realize. Most likely, that's why there are so few that have achieved any form of success. Realistic situations and characters, a conceivable set-up for the murder and a sufficient number of plot twists to keep the audience on the edge of their seats are required. Knott was able to come up with the characters, set-up and plenty of twists for his first successful thriller, and it was so well received that Knott was also hired to adapt the play and write the screenplay for the Alfred Hitchcock directed 1954 film version.
If you're a fan of well-crafted murder thrillers, or just looking for a fun theatrical experience, I highly recommend the well-directed and acted Dial M for Murder at Desert Stages. If you've seen the film and are already familiar with the many plot twists, the joy of seeing the show live with all of the intrigue and excitement of the murder playing out in front of you, with actors who know how to embody these characters, adds a level of excitement. Virginia Olivieri and her cast have done an excellent job in bringing this classic suspense thriller to life."
The Desert Stages production of Dial M for Murder runs through March 9, 2014, with performances at 4720 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Tickets are available at www.DesertStages.org or by phone at (480) 483-1664
Photo: Heather Butcher/Desert Stages Theatre
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