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70 years on and Agatha Christie’s vintage hit ‘The Mousetrap’ is still pulling in theatre goes everywhere.
“The Mousetrap” is a timeless classic whodunit murder mystery play that has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. It was written by Agatha Christie and premiered in London’s West End in 1952. The play has since become the longest-running show in the history of British theater.
Set in a remote countryside guesthouse, the play revolves around a group of strangers who find themselves snowed in and cut off from the outside world. As they wait for the snow to clear, they start to suspect that one of them may be a murderer. The tension and suspense build as secrets are revealed and motives are questioned, leading to an unexpected twist ending.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The show adhered to tradition by confining the action to a single room at Monkswell Manor, eliminating the need for complex set changes. year on year the production team rise to the challenge by creating a remarkably authentic set, evocative of old National Trust sites with its wood paneling and ornate furnishings. The cast deftly used this setting to their advantage, with well timed wind sounds when the window opens to comedic flair through their skilful entrances and exits.
There were moments when the play felt like a throwback to old-school mysteries, with unexpected twists and turns. It was reminiscent of a classic Scooby Doo episode, minus the costumed villains and with more emphasis on the tropes of the genre, transporting the audience back in time to the 1950s
Despite being around for seven decades, the play has lost none of its appeal. It’s a well-crafted whodunit that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The characters are well-drawn, and the plot twists and turns keep the audience guessing until the very end.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”29723″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The casting in this show is unsurprisingly perfect, and, in honesty, all eight of them deserve a mention.
A standout in the line-up of suspects for me was the over excitable but likeable Christopher Wren played by Elliot Clay, whose exuberant personality and persistent singing of nursery rhymes, particularly “Three Blind Mice,” added a poignant element to the show. He effectively riled up the other guests with his captivating performance, much like an annoying younger brother. Also Kieran Brown, who was hilarious as Mr Paravicini and gave us vibes of the Go Compare character Gio Compario, Played by Welsh opera tenor Wynne Evans.
The entire cast delivered an excellent performance tonight, displaying excellent chemistry as they built up to a nail-biting conclusion. Despite experiencing technical feedback issues from a speaker throughout the show, the cast handled the situation with professionalism and didn’t let it detract from their overall performance to deliver a nail biting conclusion.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]This production has much to offer, with a wonderfully atmospheric tone that is both macabre and melodramatic. “The Mousetrap” is a stylish and gripping play that comes highly recommended. Whether you are a fan of the recent Netflix hit Glass Onion, murder mysteries, or Agatha Christie’s famous detectives, Poirot and Miss Marple, or simply seeking a great night out at the theatre with a classic 20th-century play, “The Mousetrap” is the perfect choice.
Be sure to catch it while you can.
- Mousetrap runs until Saturday (March18th), tickets are available from The New theatre website
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