Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap opened on London’s West End in 1952 and ran continuously until mid-March 2020, when COVID-19 considerations caused a 14-month stoppage. Returning in May 2021, it maintains the longest run of any play in history. (As of the beginning of 2023, it topped 29,000 performances with well over 500 actors and actresses having played roles.)
Mud Creek Players’ production of the play is an elaborate retelling from a well-cast, well-prepared corps of actors and actresses directed by Kelly Keller. Though the script is a bit long and drawn out by modern standards, Keller’s crew tells the story with sharp characterizations, splendid accents, and notable levels of emotion and humor. The twisted ending is pure Christie, a masterful denouement which not many see coming.
Set in the mid-1950s, The Mousetrap is the story of a young English couple, Giles and Mollie Ralston, played convincingly well by Nicholas Gibbs and Audrey West. Both actors offer fully realized post-war Brits, with pleasingly natural and detailed conveyances. The day after a murder has occurred in nearby London, the Ralstons’ Monkswell Manor Guest House is opening to their first set of guests – and what interesting guests they are, full of secrets and unusual traits.
Note: Ms. Christie has used an actual crime from England’s past as a plot catalyst. The case involved a foster couple’s terrible abuse of the children they were assigned to. The couple went to prison where the man died, but the woman was eventually released, and in Christie’s story, she soon became the victim in the recent London murder.
(From left) Miss Casewell, played by Zoe O’Haillin; Detective Sergeant Trotter, played by Mike Sosnowski; and Mr. Paravicini, played by Jim Gryga. (Photo by Rob Slaven / Indy Ghost Light Photography)
A young man who fits the description of the killer named Christopher Wren arrives first – a rather impetuous character full of fancy and odd ideas, he is well played by Gideon Roark, who energetically fills the young man to the brim. Next comes the disagreeable Mrs. Boyle, a former magistrate who seems to judge everything negatively. Jennifer Poynter takes the role and is solid as a rock in her portrayal. The far more agreeable Major Metcalf follows, offered with a quiet military being by Jason Roll. Zoe O’Haillin takes the part of the self-confident guest, Miss Casewell, deftly making the many transitions this portrayal demands.
A latecoming and very suspicious guest, the Italian Mr. Paravicini, is played with great relish by Jim Gryga, who has perfected the manners and accent of the man. Finally, there is Detective Sergeant Trotter, who has arrived on skis (due to the story’s necessary snowbounding storm) and has come to protect the inhabitants of the hotel, as a note was left on the murder victim’s body implying future crimes at the guest house address. Mike Sosnowski takes the part and adroitly plays out Trotter’s suspicion’s that one of the guests (or either of the Ralstons) is the murderer. The crime is solved with the nifty surprise ending only after a great deal of red herrings – enough to feed the audience’s suspicions.
The fine work of Director Keller and his cast members is augmented by a beautifully detailed set, designed by Chris Bundy, and by wonderful costuming from Karen Webster-Cones. Craig Kemp did a commendable job with developing the actors’ spot-on British and Italian accents, which were nicely varied, and which came off naturally and, most importantly, with good diction.
(From left) Major Metcalf, played by Jason Roll; Christopher Wren, played by Gideon Roark; and Mollie Ralston, played by Audrey West. (Photo by Rob Slaven / Indy Ghost Light Photography)
Bottom line: I had never seen this Christie play and Mud Creek Players has provided a memorable experience with this production. Really fine characterizations are melded with great technical aspects to present a classic mystery that held interest and entertained. Go see it!
The Mousetrap continues at Mud Creek Players through May 6. You can find more info about reservations, the theatre’s location, and the company’s upcoming schedule by going to MudCreekPlayers.org.
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