…see how
they run…
The Mousetrap
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Until Saturday 6th
September 2014
A fine ensemble cast meet
to present the Agatha Christie classic in its 60th year. So why has
this play continued to be performed in front of packed enthusiastic audiences?
Read on…
The
action centres on Monkswell Manor, a large house in the country that Mollie
Ralston (Helen Clapp) has set up with her husband Giles (Henry Luxemburg). It
is snowing outside but each of their five guests manage to get through to the
isolated house. Each guest seem to be, in their own way, eccentric and
perfectly happy to annoy the other guests.
An
example of one such pair of guests clashing includes Christopher Wren and Mrs
Boyle. Wren, performed wonderfully by Stephen Yeo, is happy to interact with
everyone regardless of their reaction. Anne Kavanagh portrays Mrs Boyle as a
cantankerous guest who clearly is not happy with her hosts’ efforts. The set
includes some clever lighting and snow effects that help the audience feel the
effects of the early winter nights as the draw in. The action is appropriately
paced without overloading the audience with too much exposition.
We
see issues of class, childhood and people’s integrity challenged as the web of lies
unravels. The laughs in the final moments are a lovely touch. The whole cast
weave their magic to keep the audience guessing as events unfold. Director Ian
Watt-Smith has kept the legacy of Agatha Christie’s wonderful play intact.
This review was written by Stephen Oliver
for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
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