Veteran Australian actress Anna Samson is returning to live theatre with a provocative new production of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, Dial M for Murder.
The 35-year-old Home and Away favourite plays Margot in the bold reimagining at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre. Her co-star Garth Holcombe told Daily Mail that performing alongside Samson has been an electric experience.
“The great thing is Anna has done so much screen work and has also just come off the back of other stage productions in Sydney. She is very adept and knows what she is doing with us,” Garth said.
The classic mystery has received a provocative 2025 makeover, featuring rearranged characters, sharper sexual politics and a contemporary edge designed to excite audiences without losing the suspense at its heart.
The pair began building their onstage connection before rehearsals had even started, bonding over what Garth described as a “cheeky” pre-rehearsal dinner.
“I think that is a really lovely thing to do… really important when you are starting to build a relationship, trust and rapport with another actor,” he said.
Veteran Australian actress Anna Samson is returning to live theatre in a provocative new production of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller. She is pictured with co-star Garth Holcombe
The Home and Away favourite plays Margot in a bold new production of Dial M for Murder at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre, with co-star Garth Holcombe describing their stage chemistry as electric
Holcombe plays the villainous Tony, who devises a plan to murder his wife Margot, portrayed by Anna, so he can claim her inheritance. He said the 1952 play has been refreshed to place its familiar story in a more modern context.
Audiences can expect a combination of suspense, glamour and undeniable chemistry between the performers, Garth said.
“You’re going to be plunged into a pretty rollicking ride of the 1950s, with extraordinary set and costumes. It is going to be sexy, dangerous and fun,” he said.
“We’re not trying to replicate the film or the performances. We’re trying to build our own little world. Several characters have been switched around slightly, it is a new addition and brings it into 2025 in quite a provocative and sexy way.
KEEP READING: FBI Warns Millions of Americans About Midterm Scams Targeting Money
“I really adore this version of it, as it gives us a fresh reason to tell the story. It makes it a very current story, even though it is still set in 1952. The politics around it are really thrilling.
“Some of the jigsaw pieces have been moved around and played with a little bit, in terms of sexual politics, relationships and points of view. It has been done really cleverly.”
Dial M for Murder was originally written as a stage play in 1952. Two years later, legendary director Alfred Hitchcock adapted it for the big screen, with Grace Kelly and Ray Milland in the lead roles.
The thriller continues to be staged around the world. This production is based on a modern adaptation by US playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, who reworked the play in 2022.
The classic thriller has been reworked for 2025 with rearranged characters, sharper sexual politics and a contemporary edge designed to thrill audiences
“Audiences can expect the nostalgia that you come to the theatre for… it’s spine-tingling. There’s an edge of darkness to it while at the same time being rompy entertainment as well,” Anna said in a statement.
The cast also includes Australian acting veterans David Soncin, Madeleine Jones and Kenneth Moraleda.
Garth is an experienced stage and screen performer with almost 30 years in the industry.
His television credits include Home and Away, Head Start and In Our Blood, while he also appeared in the Sydney-filmed Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie Our Lips Are Sealed.
Anna played Mia Anderson on Home and Away from 2021 to 2022. She currently stars opposite Damian Walshe-Howling as Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke in the ABC drama Return to Paradise.
Dial M for Murder runs at Kirribilli’s Ensemble Theatre from Friday, 28 November to Sunday, 11 January 2026.
