About The Mousetrap
Our production of this celebrated 'Who-dun-it' was a 'smash-hit' with sold-out performances all the way. Fortunately, until the final two performances, we were able to accomodate those on the waiting list for 'Returns' from cancellations and the 'House-Seats' (which have to be retained until the last moment).
Sadly the venue wasn't available for a possible extension and, in any event, it turned out that the Australian rights for the play are no longer available.
During the run of the play there was an "Agatha Christie' exhibition in the Foyer. The company was deighted to have messages of good luck from both the current London Cast and several actors who have been in the play over the past sixty years.
1st to 9th October 2011
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Venue: The Courthouse Theatre
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Genre: Drama - whodunnit
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Director:
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Playwright: Agatha Christie
Reviews
Reviewer: Gail Sjogren
The Mouse Trap is a theatre phenomenon. The play has been running continuously in London for nearly sixty years and has been a starting point for many illustrious stage careers. Only now have the rights become available to theatre companies, and BNT has been quick to take up the challenge.
Having never seen the play, I felt considerable anticipation and I was not disappointed. The set captures the Agatha Christie 1950’s atmosphere her readers know so well, as a group of disparate characters are brought together at Monkswell Manor, cut off by a severe snowstorm, with no way to communicate, no place to hide and every reason to anticipate a murder in their midst.
And what suspicious characters they are! There is Christopher Wren (could that possibly be his real name?) played with enormous energy and charm by Blake Fiegert, unpleasant and critical Mrs Boyle (Scarlett DeMasson), upright Major Metcalf (James McLaren), quietly mysterious Miss Casewell (Jessica Kelly) and James Ao’s wonderfully eccentric Mr Paravicini. Holding it all together are the strong performances of guest house owners, Mollie (Eva Torkkola) and dependable Giles (Sam O’Brien). With the arrival (by unexpected means) of the dominant figure of Sergeant Trotter (Sam Bye) the action heats up. It appears that no-one is what he or she seems, and the audience is led by turns to suspect each one of them.
The youthful and enthusiastic cast work very well together to sustain the suspense and make the most of more humorous moments. Under the guidance of experienced director Peter Nethercote, who also designed the effective set, they are giving Ballarat audiences a chance to see this legendary play in home town comfort. If you have never seen The Mouse Trap this is your chance to find out what the fuss is all about, and if you have been lucky enough to see it in London, come along and relive your memories. Just don’t ever tell anyone ‘who-dun-it’!