*****
Review by Simon Rothstein
Photos courtesy of Phil&Ben Productions
A true joy of being the Editor of the Essex Jewish News is travelling around our glorious county discovering its hidden gems.
One of those is undoubtedly the Palace Theatre in Southend where stepping through the doors is like stepping back in time.
A Grade II listed Edwardian building, first opened in 1912, it’s a truly beautiful venue with original features preserved – giving you the same layout, atmosphere and experience those watching plays there 100 years ago would have enjoyed.
Of course, any theatre is only as good as the shows it puts on – which is why I’m pleased to report that Dial M for Murder, which is playing all this week, truly is a classic thriller fit for a Palace.
Brought back to the stage for 2026 by Phil&Ben Productions, in association with PW Productions, it is showing in Southend until Sunday (16 August) before heading off to Harrogate, Blackpool, Coventry and Peterborough. It previously toured Eastbourne, Crewe, Fareham and Swindon.
For a Frederick Knott play that first premiered in 1952 – made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film version – it may seem strange of me not to want to give any spoilers, but with every twist and turn being so impactful, I’m keen not to ruin any of them.
The story, as fans of the film will remember, begins with English former tennis professional Tony Wendice plotting to kill his wealthy wife Margot after finding out she’d been cheating on him with Mark Halliday, an American crime-fiction writer.
Blackmailing an old classmate turned con man, Charles Swann, into doing the deed for him – Tony feels he has the perfect murder planned as he explains to Charles, and therefore us, in great detail.
Things, as you can imagine, don’t go as expected, leaving Charles to come up with a second dastardly plan. But is his web of lies and latch keys enough to fool Inspector Hubbard and get him the inheritance he wants?
The direction from Josh Mathieson is one of the best I’ve seen in a small theatre, adding moments of dramatic pause to the gripping script to really allow you to take everything in and wonder what happens next.
You, of course, hate the dastardly Tony (played masterfully by Pete Ashmore), but there’s a moment where Margot (Tanya-Loretta Dee) chooses to walk with Max (Simon Pothecary) instead of Tony that really makes you wonder where your sympathies lie – a credit to the acting and directing.
Phil Stewart may be having the most fun as the slightly hapless Charles Swann, while you never know how much Katy Dean’s Inspector Hubbard really knows – keeping you guessing until the end.
Dial M for Murder is a whodunnit where you know who did it, how they did it and why they did it… yet it remains gripping throughout.
There were a mix of ages in the theatre, including my own teenage children, and all were hanging on every word.
Listening to conversations afterwards, the audience was a combination of those who know and love the film – like us – those who have seen it but forgotten the twists and turns, and those coming to the material for the first time. All enjoyed it equally.
Not only was this a five-star show, right here on our doorsteps, but it is also part of an important effort to strengthen the future of touring drama in towns and smaller cities across the UK.
As Phil and Ben said: “We believe audiences in towns and smaller cities like Southend deserve regular access to outstanding live drama, and that the appetite for it remains strong.
“This is an exciting production in its own right, but it also stands for something larger: a commitment to restoring confidence in mid-scale touring theatre and building lasting partnerships with venues and audiences.”
So if you’re looking for a great night out at a very reasonable price, just Dial M and get to the Palace.
