Theatre Review: The Mousetrap, Bristol Hippodrome
Summary
Rating: ★★★★
Running Dates: 24 July 2023 – 29th July 2023 (Bristol Hippodrome)
Where to see it: Bristol Hippodrome (UK Tour)
Duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes (including interval)
Keywords: Mystery, Comedy, Suspense
Photo by Matt Crockett
Review
The Mousetrap, the longest running play in the world, is now at the Bristol Hippodrome as part of its 70th Anniversary Tour. Originally a radio play known as Three Blind Mice that was written by Agatha Christie in 1947 to celebrate Queen Mary’s 80th birthday. This was later reworked to become The Mousetrap that millions have watched and loved over the last several decades. The mystery still remains well loved and immensely successful across all ages.
The storyline and set can be considered somewhat simplistic to some and in comparison to more modern plays, but that does not make it any less fun and exciting to watch. The entire story plays out in the living room of Monkswell Manor, a remote guesthouse, where seven strangers find themselves snowed in.
As the curtain rises to start the show, we are treated to an intimate and warm setting of a living room suitable for the 1950s with warm brown tones throughout the set, a printed sofa in the middle and water trickling down the large window in the background. The momentary feeling of ease is quite quickly replaced as one of the owners of the guesthouse, Mollie Ralston (Rachel Dawson) enters the scene and turns on the radio to hear the news of a killer loose in London, miles from their warm manor.
Before long she is joined by her husband Giles Ralston (Michael Lyle) as they prepare for the arrival of their guests and we are introduced to each of their guests individually. As the characters enter the scene, we not only find out a little about what brought each one to the guesthouse that weekend but also that they all have the same details of the killer as mentioned by the radio broadcast (keep your ears and eyes alert for this one).
Photo by Matt Crockett
The idea of a cosy week in the Manor, is ruined by the arrival of Detective Sgt Trotter (Garyn Williams) who informs them that the murderer is amongst them, shattering their peace of mind and thus begins his investigation into who the murderer could be.
Throughout the play the pressure to find out who the killer is increases and in turn, you find yourself trying to figure it out before they do! All the guests have somewhat suspicious reasonings behind why they are there that week. From Mr Paravicini (Steven Elliot) and his reasonings as to why he is there or the overly fussy Mrs Boyle (Catherine Shipton) and the mysterious Miss Casewell (Leigh Lothian).
It isn’t all suspense and murder mystery solving, there are actually many surprising comedic elements that will have you laughing along and easing the tension that fills the stage. The persona of the characters are well executed by the star-studded cast and this adds to the comedy of the play. Shaun McCourt, who brilliantly plays Christopher Wren, was a big part in many of the comedic moments, his joyful and youthful take of the character is something that stands out quite easily.
Photo by Matt Crockett
There are a few clues littered throughout the play of the real story, yet the identity of the killer is not one that is easy to figure out, despite how simple the play might seem. That is the real beauty of The Mousetrap and perhaps why it has been so successful for such a long time and one to be watched by people from all walks and ages.
Just remember, don’t give the identity of the murderer away!
Standout Moment: The reveal and portrayal of Christopher Wren by Shaun McCourt
See if: You love a good murder mystery along with some laughs
Last Impression: There is more than meets the eye
Written by Annabel Leo