It’s amazing how some things stand
the test of time despite changing fashions, changing cultures and changing
tastes. The Mousetrap was established in
1952 and over the following 67 years cinema, tv, theatre and entertainment in
general have all undergone evolutions of their own. Yet, here is one play that continues to attract
audiences across the land and across the ages.
The opening night of this current
production, directed by Gareth Armstrong and produced by Adam Spiegel and Stephen
Waley-Cohen once again played to an almost full house – an amazing sight from
within the audience and no doubt an equally encouraging and satisfying one from
the stage. The fact that most people
have probably seen Christie’s most famous whodunnit at least once and still
want to come back for more is testament to the brilliance of the writing and
the guarantee that you are going to get a great evening’s entertainment.
The current cast include Gwyneth
Strong (best known and loved as Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses) playing Mrs
Boyle, a brilliant lynchpin performance of Mollie Ralston by the wonderful
Harriett Hare and a deliciously delightful Lewis Chandler playing Christopher
Wren.
Set in Monkswell Hall Guest House
(with some exquisite set design), the new owners Giles and his aforementioned
wife Mollie take in their first set of paying guests on a bleak and snowy
night. Each present themselves having previously
booked accommodation and yet all seem to be there for a different reason.
Suspicions rise as one by one they are forced to interact with each other in
the now snowed in hotel. Right from the
off the audience can see elements of the mystery evolve, little details that
link each other and failings in credibility hitherto unobserved by the characters,
and yet we are still none the wiser or
any closer to working out who the likely killer is.
The pace is perfect, allowing the
audience time to play a little ‘Cluedo’ of their own as we delve further into
the guests back stories but what may surprise some is how funny this play is; the humour being neither farcical, nor distracting,
but integral in creating depth of character and giving no short measure of
laughs.
For obvious reasons I will not go
further in exploring or explaining the story, nor will I say who actually ‘dunnit’; like many that have come since, this story must
retain it’s mystery right to the end – afterall I daren’t undo 67 years of keeping
audiences guessing.
The Mousetrap is on at Darlington
Hippodrome until Saturday 4th May (Star Wars Day)