The beautiful Tempe Center for the Arts on Tempe Town Lake
was the destination for three Matinee Friends on Sunday afternoon, October 27. The play was “Dial M for Murder”, an adapted version of the classic revenge thriller. Set in 1952, the play had five characters: The Wife, her Lover (female), and the author, represented by the jealous money-grabbing Husband, the hired Killer, and the seemingly bumbling but actually perceptive police Detective. All these characters were portrayed by excel-
lent actors. The set was a classy deco London apartment, and the costumes were lovely.
Although the plays I have seen have rarely (if ever) had background music, this drama was heightened by very effective compositions that intensified the atmosphere of intrigue and danger. At the back of the stage was a video screen that showed the hall behind the apt. at times, and at other times, it acted as a window to the weather. It was particularly effective for the rain and lightning storm; we could actually see rain falling. Comic moments only served to intensify the atmosphere of tension. We very much enjoyed our thrilling afternoon.
