‘Suspect everyone’
A cultural phenomenon like no other, Agatha Christie’s gripping masterpiece ‘The Mousetrap’ is currently playing its record-breaking 68th year in London whilst concurrently touring the UK in a stunning, sharp production.
The reasons for its enduring popularity are clear; the play is a warm, tightly-structured and cleverly plotted affair that is both twee and gripping. It blissfully balances the darker themes with a light humour. Christie is quoted to have said that it is a play “you can take anyone to… It’s not really frightening. It’s not really horrible. It’s not really farce, but it has a little bit of all these things and perhaps that satisfies a lot of different people…”
It certainly satisfied me. In fact, the character-driven, tense play has become one of my favourites due to script alone. Christie’s genius shines through, a real testament to her witty, clever and homely writing. Every twist and turn is exquisitely plotted: You truly hang on every word, with no line wasted.
The set is a glorious co-star to the headline script; the sumptuous Great Hall in Monkswell Manor, now a newly-opened guest house run by couple Giles and Mollie Ralston. The charming, highly-detailed set provides a fixed backdrop, with its myriad of doors creating an almost farcical series of entrances throughout the show.
Four guests join the Ralston’s on a snowy evening, each with a distinct reason to stay. A fifth visitor, the mysterious Mr Paravicini, arrives unexpectedly before tensions rise regarding a recent, nearby murder. When Detective Sergeant Trotter visits to inform the guests that he believes the murderer is at large in Monkswell Manor itself, everyone becomes a suspect. The enduring question of ‘whodunnit’ – the tantalising ‘hook’ to draw over ten million audience members and counting – is constantly challenged and only answered towards the very end of the play.
The show concludes with a request to keep the identity of the killer a secret, creating a charming, communal experience shared only by the cast and audience.
All eight cast members are terrific, presenting nuanced characters and real heart. Theatre and TV stalwart Susan Penhaligon plays an exasperated, bickering Mrs Boyle, continuously looking down on the younger residents and management style of Mollie and Giles, played here by a heart-warming Edith Kirkwood and Adam Lilley.
George Naylor is a particular highlight, bringing deep pathos and an undercurrent of endearing humour. The themes of mental health laced throughout are pertinent to our own times, and it is interesting to note the similar struggles and prejudice shared by characters in the 1950s.
The appeal and run of ‘The Mousetrap’ will, most likely, outlive us all. It was a true delight to witness this timeless classic at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Whilst the London run remains a popular tourist attraction, the UK tour is a firm reminder that this play is a genuinely delectable, precious treat.
From world-wide visitors looking for a slice of English tradition to ardent theatre-goers, ‘The Mousetrap’ is truly for everyone. Here’s to the next 60 years!
‘The Mousetrap’ UK tour continues at the Leicester Haymarket Theatre from the 9th March 2020.
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