"The Mouse Trap"
Martin Bones directed this classic "whodunnit" by Agatha Christie.
"The Mousetrap" opened in the West End of London in 1952, making this its 60th anniversary and has been running continuously since then. It is the longest, continuously running show (of any type) of the modern era.
The play is also known for its twist ending, which at the end of every performance the audience is asked not to reveal. The play is your classic murder mystery. Eight people are snowed in at Monkswell Manor guest house: Mollie and Giles Ralston, the owners; four invited guests, each with eccentric characteristics; the unexpected guest, who turns up out of the blue after his car overturns in the snow storm; and finally a skiing detective. Once everyone has arrived it is not long before a murder takes place and the detective assembles all the guests together and interrogates them one by one. Each avoid the truth, some by silence and others by lies? Can the murderer be caught before more deaths happen?
Performances were held over two weekends. The dates were Friday and Saturday, May 4,5,11,& 12 and a Sunday Matinee on May 6th. An afternoon tea was served at intermission complete with fine china, tea sandwiches, scones, shortbread, cookies, and little cakes to the delight of audiences. A true British theater experience!
All performances were held at the West Rutland Town Hall Theater.
Check out the cast list below!
The Cast:
- Tiffany Arnold - Mollie Ralston, Proprietor of Monkswell Manor, and wife of Giles.
- Jason Duby - Giles Ralston – Husband of Mollie who runs Monkswell Manor with his wife Mollie.
- James Sease - Christopher Wren – The first guest to arrive at the manor.
- Tammy Brown - Mrs Boyle – A critical older woman who is pleased by nothing she observes.
- John Gilbert - Major Metcalf – Retired from the army, little is known about Major Metcalf.
- Kayleigh Gilbert - Miss Casewell – A strange, aloof, woman who speaks about the horrific experiences of her childhood
- Brent Merrill - Mr Paravicini – A man of unknown provenance, who turns up claiming his car has overturned in a snowdrift.
- Patrick Shortle - Detective Sergeant Trotter – A policeman who arrives in a snow storm to protect the guests from the murderer.
