The Mousetrap returns to the Wyvern Theatre from Monday 10th to Saturday 15th of February, and last night I was lucky enough to go and see why this is the longest running play to date.
The Mousetrap is a classic murder mystery whodunit play that opened in London’s West End in 1952 and has been running continuously ever since.
The play opens in Monkswell Manor guest house set in the 1950’s and when the guests begin to arrive they find they are snowed in and unable to leave, shortly after they discover that a murderer is amongst them!
The cast is comprised of 8 characters, the owners of the guest house Mr and Mrs Ralston played by Adam Lilley and Edith Kirkwood, the guests who are Mrs Boyle (Susan Penhaligon), Miss Casewell (Laura Costello), Major Metcalf (John Griffiths), Mr Paravicini (Steven Elliott), Christopher Wren (George Naylor) and Detective Sergeant Trotter (Martin Allanson).
This is a very clever murder mystery, taking you down twists and turns that keep you on your toes, what really surprised me was the humour all the way through that was perfectly timed by the cast members and was thoroughly entertaining!
Nothing detracted from the story, the set was perfect and the play was so perfectly performed by the acting cast that I was completely lost in its plot.
A huge well done to all of the actors – it would be impossible to single out anyone in particular as they all shone in their own character portrayal.
The play has a twist ending, which the audience are traditionally asked not to reveal after leaving the theatre – which I will indeed keep close to my heart.
If you do anything this week – test your mind and see if you can figure out whodunit!
Tickets for The Mousetrap are available online or by calling the box office on 01793 524 481
