Dial M for Murder

Dial M for Murder is a stage play written by English playwright Frederick Knott (1916-2002)[1]

The original text

Knott's work often focused on women who innocently become the potential victims of sinister plots, as in this case.

The play premiered in 1952 on BBC television, before being performed on stage in the same year in London's West End in June, and then New York's Broadway in October.

Translations and adaptations

A film version was directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1954.

Performance history in South Africa

1953: Presented by the Brian Brooke Company starring Brian Brooke, Diane Bester and Michael Drin, directed by John Roberts, later replaced by Petrina Fry, March 1953.

1954: Staged by Taubie Kushlick, with the following cast: Helen Faul, Bob Griffiths, Philip Birkinshaw, Bruce Meredith Smith and Felix Cooper. Opening date 6 January 1954.

1954: Revived in 1954 starring English actor Emrys Jones [2] (1915-1972) and Petrina Fry, directed by John Roberts. Taken on tour of the Eastern Cape.

1972: Presented by Pieter Toerien at the Alhambra Theatre, directed by Philip Grout, 1972. This production also opened at the Nico Malan Theatre on 17 April 1972.