The Mousetrap At Theatre Royal Plymouth Review

Reviewed by Linda Curtain

The first day of spring, it’s pouring with rain so what better way to spend an evening than at the 70th Anniversary tour of Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’ at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Who would of thought that a play that started out as a short radio play named ‘Three Blind Mice’ and opened as a stage play under the new name ‘The Mousetrap’ in 1952 would still be running seventy years later!
Theatre Royal Plymouth is situated centrally in Plymouth with good public transport links and several nearby car parks. They host a wide range of theatre productions and an enjoyable evening is guaranteed. The huge Messenger statue stands outside the main entrance – an ideal meeting and conversation point!

Arriving at the very busy theatre last evening, we were quickly welcomed into the venue and tickets scanned. The foyer cafe and bar areas were busy with people enjoying a pre-show drink.

Having secured our programme and located our seats, the lights dimmed and a terrifying scream was heard – we were immediately drawn into the storyline.

The curtains opened into the Great Hall of Monkswell Manor Guest House ( not sure about the significance of the ‘s’ being missing from the signage hence reading Monkwell Manor!) where new owners Mollie and Miles Ralston – played on this tour by Joelle Dyson and Laurence Pears – were awaiting the arrival of their first guests. A radio announcement informs them of a murder that has occurred nearby with the suspected murderer wearing a dark coat, a light scarf and a soft hat. As the guests arrive each one seems to be wearing clothes to fit that description!

The first to arrive was the very flamboyant Christopher Wren – played by Elliot Clay who captured the role with a great mix of comedy and energy. Next arrived the rather cantankerous Mrs Boyle – a role brilliantly executed by Gwyneth Strong. Major Metcalf – an ex-army gentleman played by Todd Carty – arrived with Mrs Boyle and the final expected guest Miss Casewell – played by Essie Barrow – completed the guest group. An unexpected fifth guest later arrived however – a charming if somewhat sinister character named Mr Paravicini played by Kieran Brown who portrayed this character so well! He had got stranded in the snow and was seeking accommodation for the night. As the guest settled in further details of the nearby murder were announced as DS Trotter – played by Joseph Reed – arrived on skis and so the mystery began to unfold.

The story line was so engrossing you could hear a pin drop in the silent auditorium as the audience listened to every word and tried to solve the puzzle – no easy feat with so many red herrings!

The stage setting of the Great Hall was really authentic with furniture, furnishing and ornaments so in keeping with the era. The use of side doors with numerous entrances and exits gave a good impression of the size of Monkswell Manor and to be able to see the snow falling outside the window was a great effect.

This talented cast certainly enabled Agatha Christie’s classic storyline to shine. With such clear diction throughout and well maintained accents you could hear every word and became fully engrossed in the story. The occasional playing of the tune Three Blind Mice added extra drama and tension to the plot.

If you wish to discover ‘who done it’ however, you will need to get along to the Theatre Royal Plymouth this week as nobody will tell you – the audience is sworn to secrecy as the final curtain closes!!
A brilliant production of a classic play by the queen of crime – Agatha Christie.

Rating: 5/5

Ticket available from £30.00

Mousetrap is at Theatre Royal Plymouth until Saturday 25th March 2023

To book tickets visit www.theatreroyal.com