It is the longest running show in British theatre history. Even after decades, Agatha Christie’s play The Mousetrap is still managing to find its way onto stages and at the moment it’s currently running at St. Martin’s Theatre in London’s West End. A classic murder mystery, The Mousetrap has become something of a tradition, the tradition being that all those who sit in for the production are bound to secrecy as to the play’s ending. Don’t worry, the climactic conclusion will not be revealed here. Director Ian Talbot Obe brings to the stage a funny but thrilling story of secrets.
The Monkswell Manor, now a guest house run by Mr. and Mrs. Ralston, is open for business as customers roll in to rent out the rooms. Amongst the most recent of check-ins the audience will become acquainted with the difficult old Mrs. Boyle, the exuberant young Christopher Wren, the stoic Major Metcalf, the comical Mr. Paravincini, and the mysterious Miss Casewell. Eventually they’re all joined by Detective Sgt. Trotter who informs the tenants that a murder has taken place not far away with a note referencing Monkswell Manor, indicating that everyone in the house should be on their guard as he begins to investigate. This sets forth a sequence of events leading to doubt and mistrust between the inhabitants of the manor, everyone beginning to realize that the killer may already be among them.
The Mousetrap remains a popular production. Director Obe’s vision for the play also deserves accolades.
Playwright Agatha Christie is the obvious reason for the plays continued success. She wrote the piece in the 1950s and yet, because of her comedic wit and her choice to deviate from the formulaic norm of murder mysteries, The Mousetrap remains a popular production. Director Obe’s vision for the play also deserves accolades. His blocking kept everything simple for the actors making interacting with one other a walk in the park. The set was spared no expense, the designers constructing a very realistic version of an old English guest house. The ensemble were certainly locked in for a long evening. Tony Timberlake as Paravincini steals every scene he’s in, inciting so much laughter from the audience that it feels as though a riot might break out in the theatre. Alexander Wolfe as Christopher Wren is right on par with Timberlake as he feeds off the energy of all involved in the scenes as well as the theatre goers. The emotion of the play all comes from Katie Ray who played Mollie Ralston. Her presence is a reminder that even when things feel light hearted, there is still a murderer somewhere in the house.
Christie wrote a solid play but in order for this to see continued runs in England, everyone involved with the production must deliver on their end. The Mousetrap is written in a format that makes it a well-oiled machine which means the actors, director, and crew must work in tandem with each other. With this production, they certainly drive the ball home. St. Martin’s is hosting the play until May of next year.
