Dial M for Murder: Hollyoaks, Brookside and Coronation Street stars bring classic to South Shields stage

The Customs House in South Shields is playing host to a new production of Frederick Knott’s Dial M for Murder.

The intense thriller, famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock, stars Coronation Street’s Oliver Mellor, Hollyoaks star Terri Dwyer and Marcus Hutton, from Brookside, and is produced by Talking Scarlet.

Customs House executive director, Ray Spencer, said: “Dial M for Murder is a fantastically gripping tale and we’re delighted to welcome back Talking Scarlet.

“Last year they brought Stone Cold Murder, which was a fantastic production and won rave reviews. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for our audience this year.”

The production takes place at the Mill Dam venue on Friday and Saturday at 7.45pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tony Wendice has married his wife Margot for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder by blackmailing a scoundrel he used to know into strangling her for a fee and arranges an alibi for himself.

Convinced his wife is having an affair, the audience watch mesmerised at Tony’s precision in planning the murder – until it falters in the most unexpected way.

Mellor plays Tony and is best known for appearing as Dr Matt Carter in Corrie for three years, while Sheila Wendice is played by Dwyer, best known for playing Ruth Osbourne in Hollyoaks.

She is fresh from filming new British movie Legacy, which is due out later this year.

Hutton plays Max Halliday and is best known for appearing as Nathan Cuddington in Brookside.

Claustrophobic and frightening, this new production reclaims this brilliant tale of betrayal, passion and, ultimately, murder.

Hitchock’s 1954 film starred Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings. Tickets for Dial M for Murder cost £17.

To book, go to www.customshouse.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 454 1234.