Dial M For Murder

Three Things to Know

1. Dial M For Murder premiered on Broadway in 1952 at the Plymouth Theatre before being adapted into a film in 1954 directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Grace Kelly and Ray Milland. 
2. Jeffrey Hatcher was commissioned by the Artistic Director of the Old Globe, Barry Edelstein, to adapt the beloved thriller, which premiered in July 2022. Hatcher’s work has regularly appeared on the Arizona Theatre Company stage, including the world premiere of Holmes and Watson in the 2016/2017 Season.
3. Sir Alexander Korda (Martin), recognizing the big screen potential of the play, persuaded Knott to sell him the rights for a paltry £1,000 before selling it in turn to Warner Brothers for £175,000.   

About the Play: Dial M For Murder

Following his service in the British Royal Artillery during World War II, playwright Frederick Knott found himself fascinated by what would drive the average person to commit the heinous act of murder. And while he was noted to have hated writing – doing so only to pay the bills – there was no doubt he had the talent to conjure up chilling stories of passion, deceit, and justice. 

Dial M For Murder depicts what happens when secrets, desires, and reputations are threatened. As the complications settle in, the characters increasingly panic. Should they fight to protect what is theirs? Should they face the consequences of humiliation, loss, or even death? Most importantly, who can they trust? Continue reading …