Review: The Mousetrap: A Play by Agatha Christie

What a treat to be invited to review Agatha Christie`s The Mousetrap on behalf of Total Guide. The play has been on my bucket list for years and it has been well worth the wait to eventually get to see it.

The Mousetrap is the longest running show in the history of British Theatre and for the first time ever it is going on a nationwide tour to celebrate 60 years of performances.

In The Great Hall of Monkswell Manor, Giles and Mollie Ralston are preparing to open their new Guest House and to receiving their first guests. They are feeling apprehensive about this new venture and are also concerned about the effects of the snowstorm outside. Turning on the radio, Mollie hears news of a murder in Culver Street, London, along with a description of the suspect and the clothing he-or-she was wearing. One by one the guests arrive having battled the elements to reach Monkswell Manor. Inevitably they become snowed in and subsequently the Ralstons receive a phone call from the police informing them that a detective is on his way to interview them. They are baffled by this news and cannot imagine how a policeman could reach them through the terrible weather. However, the intrepid detective manages to make his way to the Manor by travelling on skis. It is not long before a murder takes place and the policeman gathers all the guests and the Ralstons together to interrogate them one by one.

I will reveal no more - suffice it to say this is a wonderful play that is quintessentially English. The cast are outstanding with some humorous interaction between them thrown in as well. It is impossible to single any one out as they are all superb. The set is splendid and evocative - seeing the snowflakes falling outside the windows of the Great Hall even made me look forward to our coming Winter!

I'm sure you will all want to know 'whodunnit' but I`m not going to spill the beans! We, the audience, are sworn to secrecy not to reveal the identity! Treat yourself to a wonderful show and go along and find out.

Once again The Wyvern Theatre has delighted us with their latest production. Check out their website for details of forthcoming productions including the eagerly awaited Christmas Pantomime - Cinderella - starring Ryan Thomas (best known as Jason Grimshaw from Coronation Street) running from Saturday 10th December until Sunday 8th January 2017.

Performances of The Mousetrap are nightly this week - Tues, Wed Thurs and Friday at 7.30pm  with matinees at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday.