Review by Tony Polese
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has been having audiences guessing and on the edge of their seats trying to work out the murderer for 70 years. And after a season in Sydney and Brisbane, it was time for Adelaie audiences to be part of the mystery that is The Mousetrap. The Mousetrap is directed by Robyn Nevin. The nursery rhyme Three Blind Mice has a strong influence in the play.
A near capacity audience was in for the premiere night at Her Majesty’s. Amongst the audience was the cast of The Hairspray who are also in town for their production at the Festival Theatre.
The red curtain rises, and we are introduced to Monkswell Manor in the English countryside. It is winter 1952. Snow is falling, drifts are forming, and the fireplace is looking mighty fine. Monkswell is a guest house run by an energetic young couple, the Ralstons, Mollie and Giles.
We are then introduced one by one to the motley crew of guests staying at the manor. Mrs Boyle who is a former magistrate and always whining about something, Christoper Wren who is a charismatic and hilarious trainee architect. the retired Majoy Metclaf, and the stunning Ms Casewell who has lived most of her life in Spain.
Some unexpected guests turn up with the first being Mr Paravicini who arrives with the claim that his Rolls-Royce has overturned in the snow, and secondly Detective Sergeant Trotter who arrives on skis and climbs through a window to inform everyone that one of them is the murderer, and that another murder is imminent.
Things start to take a darker turn with the telephone line cut, and no escape possible with the snowstorm. This is where we start to analyse each of the guests to ascertain who is the guilty one. Are they all who they say they are? Is one or more hiding something from the past?
A big moment occurs just before the break. This results in the audience speaking with each other about their own murder suspect during the break from the play.
The set design is fantastic, the timing of the storyline is perfect, the humor is punchy, and the characters all are fantastic in their own unique way.
The Mousetrap will leave you intrigued and on the edge of your seat all the way through and will probably even have you changing your murder suspect at various times throughout the play.
Can you work out who the murderer is before he/she strikes again?
Head to Her Majesty’s Theatre before 15th January to find out. These three blind mice get five stars from me.
Prices start from $89 and is showing at Her Majesty’s Theatre until 15th January 2023. It is then off to tour Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Parramatta.
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