In its 70th anniversary tour after debuting in November 1952, the world’s longest running play, The Mousetrap, raises its distinctive plush red curtain on the famous residents and guests of Agatha Christie’s Monkswell Guest House.
Monkswell’s owners, the Ralstons, Mollie (Neerja Naik) and Giles (Barnaby Jago) are adjusting to their new venture and welcoming guests into their home for the very first time, a terrible snowstorm doing its level best to disrupt the opening week.
Invited guests, eccentric architect Christopher Wren (Shaun McCort), the fastidious Mrs. Boyle (Gwyneth Strong), the stoical Major Metcalf (Todd Carty) and the well travelled Miss Casewell (Amy Spinks) are joined by the uninvited Mr. Paravicini (Steven Elliott) and lastly Detective Sgt. Trotter (Michael Ayiotis) who braves the snow to announce that with Monkswell cut-off, all are in immediate danger. The premise is set for a classic whodunnit.
Neerja Naik and Barnaby Jago are a fantastic partnership as the Ralstons, they have a great on-stage chemistry. Todd Carty and Gwyneth Strong are excellent as you would naturally suspect as household names and certainly live up to their billing, with Todd perfectly picking up the stiff-upper-lip Major and Gwyneth’s Mrs. Boyle fussing and offering unwanted opinion. Shaun McCourt was brilliant, playing his wonderfully eccentric character with exuberance and picking up a number of laughs on the way.
Steven Elliott’s Paravicini also deservedly raised several laughs, playfully purring his lines along with his character’s distinctive mannerisms and gait. Amy Spink’s confident Miss Casewell gave an extra dimension to her character and Michael Ayiotis playing Sgt. Trotter with aplomb, his investigation leaving no stone unturned.
A nod also to the set, remaining unmoved throughout the performance, but its design was fantastic.
The dialogue witty, twisting and turning audiences around each and every possibility until its grand conclusion. The cast have created a production fully deserving of such an important anniversary milestone to such a treasured play.
It’s a classic, it’s Agatha Christie. Whodunnit? Go and find out to be a part of the tradition of ‘The Mousetrap’.
It’s on until 30th March, with matinee’s on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets available here: https://booking.trafalgartickets.com/en/lyceum-theatre-crewe/buyingflow/tickets/18059/
