With the classic thrillers Dial M For Murder and Wait Until Dark on his CV, Frederick Knott’s third original play Write Me A Murder is often overlooked.

But this is a wrong director and producer Ian Dickens has determined to right with his touring version of the knotty tale, which won its author his second Edgar Allen Poe award for best play in 1962, after Dial M For Murder scooped the award in 1953.

The show is coming to Worthing for its last week, having started criss-crossing the country in May.

“Knott’s other plays were massive hits, but this is just as good,” says Ian.

“It’s much the same sort of situation. The play sets the crime up, shows what happens and then lets the audience watch the aftermath unfold.

“The big difference with this play, compared to Dial M For Murder, is that there is no policeman involved – it is a very hard one to spot.”

The 1940s-set crime thriller focuses on two brothers who inherit the family fortune after their father dies. They meet a wannabe mystery writer who, with the help of one of the brothers, tries to concoct the perfect murder.

“This is about a perfect murder which doesn’t quite happen,” says Ian. “They do have a couple of goes at it to try to get it right!”

“Forensics these days are so sophisticated I don’t think you can have a perfect murder today.

“The hard thing with a modern audience is to make them throw away everything they know about forensic science. With the knowledge we have now it would be so easy to see holes in many classic thrillers these days – we have minds that can take them apart.”

A tale like this is both a dream and a challenge for a director.

“With this play the way the murder happens is quite tricky,” says Ian. “We have to show the audience what happens without giving too much away.

“The obvious advantage for a director is that you can throw in a few red herrings, which are vitally important. It is a fine balance, though. Telling the story is what it is all about. With a period piece it is hard not to send it up.”

Leading the cast is former EastEnder Leslie Grantham, who made his name playing Dirty Den in the long-running soap.

“Audiences love seeing him,” says Ian.

“Especially as he is playing a villain in this piece – although more recently in one of my plays he was a policeman.”

Joining Leslie in the ensemble cast are former Emmerdale stars Helen Weir and Christopher Villiers, plus Bad Girls’ Paul Opacic.

The play is just one of 14 in Ian Dickens’ stable which traverse the country every year.

Murder mystery fans should look out for his next offering, a version of Francis Durbridge’s 2002 play Fatal Encounter starring Nicholas Ball, which he hopes will be in Worthing in October.

*Starts 7.30pm, (mats 2pm Wed, 2.30pm Sat) tickets from £13. Call 01903 206206.