Hull New Theatre – until 1 February 2020
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
4****
Some music was playing, rather satisfyingly 1950’s music, the sort that always played in the crime films, and then there was a scream from behind the curtains – and I settled back in my seat to let the Queen of Crime entertain me.
This production of The Mousetrap is set in the 1950s, pre forensic science and all the trappings of the crime series on the TV these days, one of the cast mentions fingerprints and that is as high tech as it gets. No mobile phones either, so very easy to get stuck in a situation where there is no contact with the outside world.
The action takes place in Monkswood Hall, the home of Mollie (Edith Kirkwood) and Giles (Adam Lilley) Ralston, who are opening a guest house and awaiting their first guests. On the radio comes the news that a woman has been murdered in London.
And typically Agatha Christie what a ramshackle range of guests they are. Mrs Boyle (Susan Penhaligon) a curmudgeonly old lady, who is intent on finding fault with everything; Christopher Wren (George Naylor) a rather neurotic nervous young man; Major Metcalf (John Griffiths) a bluff retired army Major; Miss Casewell (Laura Costello) a rather mysterious young woman, and finally the very dubious character of Mr Paravinci (Steven Elliott).
Detective Sergeant Trotter (Martin Allanson) arrives at the Hall, as there is a link to the murder in London.
The entire cast was superb, this is very much an ensemble piece and it is very important that they gel and bounce off one another. They all played their characters to perfection and it would be wrong to single out an individual – bravo to all. There is humour in this piece and the cast gently pick at the genre and clearly enjoy being part of The Mousetrap.
The play takes place in the hall at Monkswood Hall and the set was beautiful. The 1950s costumes were beautifully of the period too.
Agatha Christie is known as the Queen of Crime, but actually she is the queen of misdirection, and there are red herrings a plenty thrown into the plot. Sometimes the pace seems to be a little slow when we are used to modern crime series, but this is typically Christie, the gentle pace, the throwing in of the odd secret and the leading in the wrong direction again! It is also very true to the 1950s when life was led at a much slower pace.
So did I guess “whodunit”? Well of course not, this is an Agatha Christie, suffice to say I kept constantly changing my mind, and this is the skill of the playwright. This is a gentle play, at times deceptively slow, with a wonderful cast who bring their characters to life with vigour. The Mousetrap has more twists and turns than Spaghetti Junction and will keep you wonderfully entertained. The audience last night was a lovely mix of age ranges, if you love a crime story this is one for you.
Instead of sitting and watching an Agatha Christie repeat on your TV, go down to Hull New Theatre and watch a live performance, far more satisfying.
The Mousetrap is a total treat.