Dial M for Murder

Frederick Knott's thriller at Bingley Little Theatre this week, would, I felt, have benefitted from an update.

The production was well done but there would have been nothing wrong with director Robin Martin deciding to set the piece in the present day rather as written in the 1950s.

After all popular films are revamped. That aside Martin and his five strong cast kept up the momentum and built up the tension as scene after scene unfolded.

All credit to each cast member. They were word perfect and their timing was spot on.

This was another popular choice with a large first night audience at Bingley Arts Centre on Monday.

l Tonight/tomorrow 7.30 pm, phone 01274 432000.

Sylvia Thompson

Corpse

An out-of-work actor plots to kill his rich twin brother, swap bodies and assume his identity.

He pays someone to make the murder look like suicide.

Unsurprisingly, nothing is what it seems as Gerald Lude's play tangles its way to a quadruple-cross conclusion.

Corpse initially looks like it could be a proper suspense thriller, albeit with a few laughs along the way.

But gradually we were laughing along with the devilish, increasingly ludicrous but tightly-woven plot.

Peter Duncan and Doctor Who veterans Colin Baker and Louise Jameson are terrific. You can either sit back and enjoy this play, or try to second-guess the convoluted motives and machinations.

I tried the latter but foresaw neither the big first-half shock nor many of the second-act twists.

But while I didn't sit back, I certainly enjoyed! l Bradford Alhambra, tonight 7.30pm, tomorrow 2.30pm, 7.30pm. Phone 01274 432000.

David Knights