Reviewed by Jayne Knight
For any aficionado of murder mystery, The Mousetrap is perhaps at the pinnacle of their viewing wish list. A play by Agatha Christie that has run continuously since 1952 continues to break records. The original cast which included Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim has become a list in excess of 400 actors during the intervening years. Rapidly approaching its 70th anniversary, The Mousetrap continues to make records; Janet Hargreaves, later known for her role as Rosemary Hunter in Crossroads, is the only known actress to have played in turn the three female roles.
The play was originally destined to be entitled ‘Three Blind Mice’, references to which are frequently heard and referred to.
Opening night at the Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent saw a seamless cast change to Major Metcalf, by Nick Wyschna, (who is the driving force behind the Guildford Fringe Festival) which would not have been apparent except for the obligatory notice prior to the curtain rising.
The background to what will occur in the following 24 hours is heard before the curtain rises, when the audience hear a murder being committed.
Meanwhile, at Monkswell Manor, Giles and Mollie Ralston (Nick Biadon/Harriett Hare), have opened their property up as a guest house. They meet their first guests on the worst night of the winter, with a blizzard blowing.
With the radio playing in the background, there are continual news reports on the aforementioned murder. It is only as the guests begin to arrive that the audience realise that far from being a dark murder/mystery there is an element of comedy, show both by actions that imitate the news report, drawing attention to detail and subtle comedic lines by all members of the ensemble.
It is easy to form opinions of the guests on their arrival, the first of whom is Christopher Wren (Lewis Chandler). His exuberant entrance, slightly crazy mannerisms and speech patterns immediately set him aside as someone to give humour. He is followed by Mrs. Boyle, an ex-magistrate (Gwyneth Strong – Cassandra from Only Fools and Horses) who is critical, judgemental and not afraid to say what she thinks; she is the polar opposite of Wren.
2019 UK Tour
Photo Credit Johann Persson
Major Metcalfe, a retired army officer, seems very down to earth as you would expect from the military. Miss Casewell (Saskia Vaigncourt-Strallen – Sister to Summer, Scarlett and Zizi) arrives dressed in shirt, tie, waistcoat and trousers giving an air of masculinity and authority, whilst also showing a feminine vulnerability. The final guest, Mr. Paravicini (David Alcock – a superb character actor, in that he has performed in various roles from Shakespeare to Pantomime) is an unexpected guest, the only person who has not pre-booked a room; a role that he plays upon as the story unfolds.
As the guests settle in we are well into the play when the only occupier of the lounge sees the dining room door open. Exclaiming, “Oh, it’s you,” the lights go out before the audience has chance to see clearly the shadowy figure who enters the lounge; a scuffle ensues and when the lights are restored it is obvious that a murder has been committed
It becomes clear that, with the arrival of Sgt. Trotter, that something further is liable to happen, unless he can crack the case. However, upon his questioning it becomes apparent that all of the Ralston’s house guests have reasons to be reticent, not answering his questions directly. Further, the Sergeant believes that Monkswell Manor and its guests are directly linked to an incident a few miles away at Longridge Farm, some 20 or more years previously and also that of the murder heard at the opening. It is during his questioning of the guests that he reveals the context of ‘Three Blind Mice’, with Mr. Paravicini adding to the confusion by fingering the notes on the piano.
By the interval, I was convinced that I had cracked the case, only to keep changing my mind as the various twists and turns of the characters kept me reassessing my thoughts. Superbly written by Christie and directed by John Griffiths this is one play that kept me gripped from beginning to end – an end that I didn’t see coming! So, if you want to know ‘whodunnit’ pop along to the Regent before closing night on 29th June 2019 or catch it as it tours the country until June 2020.
An altogether 5* performance – well worth watching.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £13 (plus £3.65 transaction fee).
The Mousetrap is at the Regent Theatre in Stoke from 27-29 June 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/regent-theatre or call the box office on 0844 871 7649.
Regent Theatre, Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1AP | 0844 871 7649
