PRESS ACCLAIM FOR DIAL M FOR MAYHEM “Dial M For Mayhem is a delightfully charming way to spend an evening….the comedy drama is brought to life by the uniformly excellent cast of six who deliver perfect timing, pithy delivery and physical comedy with aplomb… the cast maintain their energy throughout the evening, which delivers plenty of laughs, chuckles and wry grins as the farcical events on and off stage play out. It is hard not to find yourself smiling throughout” “Margaret May Hobbs’ hilarious take on the classic Dial M For Murder… Act One is the perfect combination of ingredients needed for a play to go wrong… had every single member of the audience laughing… there is never a moment in which the audience isn’t guaranteed to be simultaneously laughing and cringing. Very silly and highly recommended.” **** 4 Stars “A funny romp that flips the classic whodunit on its head, taking the audience on a hilarious ride through the chaos of theatre… the premise sets the stage for a brilliant collision of genres… with often laugh out loud results. The audience watches in gleeful anticipation… the pacing is sharp and relentless… the dialogue is quick and witty, filled with sharp exchanges and clever wordplay. The aid-fire delivery is perfectly matched by the physical comedy on display….each new mishap only fuels the laughter, creating a whirlwind of chaos that had everyone in the theatre belly laughing at times.” “Margaret May Hobbs’ entertaining play taps amiably into the worthy tradition of a play-within-a-play, and provides some genuinely funny moments to lighten the heart on the dankest of January nights… a growing crescendo of hilarity. Get-out and support this funny and heartening production.” “Dial M For Mayhem is slapstick perfect for whole family, the show rooted in the Hitchcock classic provides brilliant juxtaposition, eliciting audience belly laughs a plenty! One scene the audience’s guffaws took several minutes to die down. A stellar cast… all have great comic timing. The play will appeal to anyone who wants escapism. A theatrical treat that people of all ages will enjoy. **** 4 Stars” “Lunney does well to keep the laughter rolling. The entertaining show stars six talented actors – all of whom excel and give great performances”. **** 4 Stars “The actors delivered a wordy script with admirable brio. Lines came thick and fast and there wasn’t a let up in the pace. The premise and the plot were well balanced and logical so a big pat on the back to writer Margaret May Hobbs. There is much to enjoy here… the talented cast were a joy to watch and I came out smiling… recommended viewing.” **** 4 Stars “An hilarious mick – take… delightfully chaotic… the acting versatility is impressive. Middle Ground are an excellent theatre company that has grown from such adventurous and humble beginnings to become an established company of excellent productions that tour the country and contribute richly to the artistic landscape of the nation. It is great and nostalgic fun to be reminded of the courage and commitment that enabled them to begin their journey.” “The show stars six talented actors all of whom give great performances. There’s certainly plenty to amuse here… slick, farcical and fast paced… featuring plenty of laugh-out-loud humour… there’s a lot to recommend in this brand-new production.” “The script by Margaret May Hobbs is a masterclass… very cleverly worked… some laugh out loud moments… I almost choked on my interval drink… I also laughed until tears were falling down my face… here will inevitably be comparisons drawn between this production and others that have gone before it such as The Play That Goes Wrong and Noises Off but that may well do this show a disservice because there is a deeper level to the writing than just comedic elements and, for me, it did tug on my heart strings. Farce relies heavily on exquisite timing and director Michael Lunney can take his own individual bow for the slick production… Dial M For Mayhem is a new play but borne very much out of history and tradition, personal (sometimes bitter) experience and an extraordinary love of touring theatre. I would recommend it whole-heartedly. Very well done to the entire cast Bravo” “The play delivers a mix of laugh-out-loud moments and subtle nods to the struggles of life in a touring theatre company. The cast delivered a spirited performance, embracing this blend of humour and back stage drama with enthusiasm. The comedic timing is particularly strong, with each actor fully committing to the physical humour and farcical elements… A riotous mix of comedy and chaos, Dial M For Mayhem keeps audiences on their toes… an evening of theatrical fun. With a charming cast and a nostalgic setting, this production offers plenty of laughs and backstage intrigue. FOUR STARS ****” “The six actors, Joey Lockhart, Isabella Inchbald, Theo Woolford, Estrid Barton, Luke Rhodri and Alasdair Baker playing nine characters with some doubling perform incredibly well. Dial M For Mayhem provides a highly entertaining evening with lots of comedy and if you’ve ever been to a village hall as an actor or a member of the audience you’ll love it.” “Margaret May Hobbs’ first original script has a lot going for it and delivers more than its fair share of laugh-out-loud jokes and situations… there is a lot to love… an extremely entertaining night out… Middle Ground should be applauded for taking the risk of touring with a brand new play… a lot of guaranteed laughs thrown in…” “A brand new production that is full of humour and had audience members laughing from the start. A clever use of set allows the audience to see both “on stage” and what’s happening behind the scenes. A cast of talented actors bring the story to life….very funny comic lines… Makes for a very enjoyable evening at the theatre. If you want something with a feel-good vibe that will make you laugh then this show is for you!” “We were treated to none stop laughter as their “play within aplay” went all kinds of wrong……a wealth of hilarious incidents and accidents all made for a fun and entertaining Act Two. Hurrah!… hilarity and just the right amount of heart to balance it out.” “There are belly -laughs a-plenty as mayhem unfolds amid backstage cast tensions, bickering and the ‘lovies’ show off in true method-acting style… All in all, Dial M For Mayhem certainly delivered mayhem, madness, and a little sadness in places with a few dramatic subtexts emerging. It was a thoroughly enjoyable few hours of fast-paced comedy… highly recommended…” “Delightful new farcical drama…Superb!” ( (
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Malvern GazetteDial M For Mayhem Artwork by Catherine Dolan Fine Art