AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT
"Dial M for Murder" adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Directed by Nicholas Hargrave
July 18 at 7:00, July 19 at 12:00 at The Burton Levitt Theater
Performance dates:
September 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28
At the audition be prepared to cold read from sides.
Play Description:
“Dial M For Murder” is a high tension reverse murder mystery. The story follows Tony, a failed author turned publisher, who discovers that his wife Margot is cheating on him with one of his work associates and decides to leave her dead. Twists and tension unfold as this web of blackmail, gaslighting, betrayal, and murder quickly begins to ensnare everyone involved.
The original “Dial M For Murder” was written by Frederick Knott in 1952 and the version that we will be performing is the 2022 adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher.
Character Breakdown:
Margot Wendice – late 20s/30s/40s, female presenting. English. Married to Tony and embroiled in an affair with Maxine. Intelligent, independent, and unfulfilled. Target of Tony’s murder plot. This part will require fight choreography. Margot and Maxine will share a kiss as may Margot and Tony.
Maxine Hadley – 30s/40s, female presenting. American. Bold, confident, and blasé. Successful crime author, Margot’s lover and Tony’s work associate. Maxine talks often about the conventions of crime literature and works to save Margot and unravel the plot against her. Maxine and Margot will share a kiss.
Tony Wendice – late 20s/30s/40s, male presenting. English. Married to Margot. Former schoolmate of Lesgate. Charming, calculating, and vengeful. A failed author turned publisher who has grown weary of his marriage but not the money that has come with it. Tony and Margot may kiss.
Lesgate – 30s/40s, male presenting. English. Former schoolmate of Tony. Untrustworthy, opportunistic, and tense. Engaged in shady dealings and becomes the subject of blackmail and eventually an attempted murderer. Must have the physical ability to die on stage (i.e., flexibility). This part will require fight choreography
Inspector Hubbard – male presenting. English. Thoughtful and thorough. The inspector unravels much of the plot on the latter portion of the show. Physical presence of a police inspector.
Setting:
1950s London
Duration:
96 minutes
Cautions:
Onstage murder, alcohol, mild adult themes, smoking
Style:
Very 50s. Fast paced and tight tension. Contrasting the bubbly affect of the fashion and time period with the brooding tension of the subject matter.
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