CLASSIC thriller Dial M for Murder is set to take audiences on a “captivating” journey.

The new production comes to Salisbury Playhouse’s Main House next week.

The genre-defining thriller, based on Frederick Knott’s stage and screen play, was made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film.

Former Casualty star and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Tom Chambers stars as Tom Wendice – a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot, played by Sally Bretton (Not Going Out, Death In Paradise, The Office).

His relationship with his wife deteriorates and after discovering she has been unfaithful he is driven down a very dark and sinister path.

“Tony is someone who has been on the tennis circuit, wined and dined by millionaires, he knows how to play the field and is charismatic, fun and sporty. But he is obviously Jekyll and Hyde,” explains Tom.

He says the character is “very different” to the ones he has played in the past during his television and theatre career, adding: “He has got many more layers and is very deep. Dark and sinister on the inside and yet trying to play normal on the outside.

“Compared to me I’ve done lots of musicals where I’m playing the happy chappie, Fred Astair role and Bobby in Crazy for You, The Boys in White Christmas - very happy roles in musical theatre. I’ve played a devious, machiavellian, horrible bully of a headmaster in Waterloo Road with Max Tyler. He was horrible, I didn’t like playing him after a while. He was so obviously a bully and that wasn’t very nice.

“But this one I’ve tried to do it in a catch-me-if-you-can kind of way. There is an element of chance.”

The production is set in the 1960s, moving away from the 50s original, and also features Christopher Harper performing in the dual roles of Captain Lesgate and Inspector Hubbard and Michael Salami (Hollyoaks) as Max Halliday, Margot’s American lover.

“It is fun doing it. It is the fact there are lots of twists and turns,” continues Tom.

On what audiences can expect, Tom says: “Hopefully they will just be swept away by it because it is instant enjoyment of you know what is going on. It is more about how is it going to pan out.

“They will get a brilliant and entertaining piece of murder thriller how-dunnit not who-dunnit with fantastic writing.”

Sally adds: “The journey starts somewhere different to where you end up.

“It really holds your attention and draws you in.”

This will be Tom’s and Sally’s debut on the Salisbury Playhouse stage, which they say they are both “looking forward to”.

The new season at Salisbury Playhouse also boasts Edward Albee’s black comedy Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (March 26-April 11). The cast includes Mark Meadows (Tartuffe, Tobacco Factory Theatres) and Pooky Quesnel.

The Kite Runner also returns to Salisbury direct from the West End from March 17 to 21.

For tickets or more information, go to wiltshirecreative.co.uk or call 01722 320333.