Show: The Mousetrap
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Date: Monday 7th November 2022
Time: 19.30
Running Time: 150 Minutes (incl. interval)
Age Rating: 10+
Performers: Joelle Dyson, Laurence Pears, Elliot Clay, Gwyneth Strong, Todd Carty, Essie Barrow, John Altman, Joseph Reed
Director: Ian Talbot, Denise Silvey
Producer: Adam Spiegel
Writer: Agatha Christie
The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play and celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, having debuted in 1952. Over its record-breaking lifetime, the iconic murder-mystery has left thousands of audiences (literally – it has been performed at the West End’s St Martin’s Theatre alone over 28,500 times) pondering just who the murderer could be, and where – or even, who – they will strike next.
This is our review of The Mousetrap at The Liverpool Empire Theatre. So, let’s take a look at The Mousetrap!
Synopsis
Without giving too much away (audience members are sworn to secrecy to enable the play’s mystery to live on), the play is set at Monkswell Manor, a newly converted guesthouse run by Mollie and Giles Ralston. A snowstorm is raging outside, and the Ralstons prepare to hunker down until it passes. News is spreading of the murder of a woman called Maureen Lyon, with the ‘Three Blind Mice’ killer still at large. And as the Ralstons welcome five guests, they receive a call advising that a police sergeant will arrive at the property. To their horror, it becomes apparent that the murderer is among them.
Slowly but surely, each of the guests’ mysterious pasts are brought to the forefront, and it becomes apparent that no one is safe from the accusing finger – everyone is a suspect. The guests grow wary of each other; even Mollie Ralston develops a new distrust towards her husband.
Added to this mystery is the urgency of catching the killer before they strike again, as everyone becomes both a suspect and also a potential victim. But can we outsmart the killer before they strike again? A wonderful, traditional “whodunnit”, The Mousetrap will leave you racking your brains, trying and failing to lock in just one suspect, as each of the characters’ backstories ensure that they must be the killer – right?
Analysis
Once again, Agatha Christie’s expert and intricate crafting of the story leaves no questions unanswered. There is a real backstory to each individual character which ensures that each one can be seamlessly intertwined with the murder case.
The play is full of twists and turns, with new information drip-fed to the audience to ensure that no one’s guess is completely flawless. We are led down a long, winding and chaotic maze, and escaping requires us to utilise every minute detail the characters have provided us (often unwillingly – they are a very secretive bunch, even the seemingly-picture perfect Ralstons).
The use of lighting and darkness gives the play a spooky feel, alongside the interjecting, slightly eerie playing of ‘Three Blind Mice’ on the piano, which serves as another means to disarm us.
However, what makes the play truly come alive is the unique personalities and eccentricity of each of the characters, particularly the guests. From the flamboyant Christopher Wren to the upbeat Major Metcalf, and even the brusque Mrs Boyle, each character possesses the ability to easily have the audience laughing throughout, with their witty lines, and expert timing and delivery. It was difficult to dislike any of the characters, even knowing that each one was potentially, as they referred to it, a “homicidal maniac”.
Summary
Not knowing much about the story, I had concerns that it would cater only to fans of Christie’s other works. Oh how wrong I was. I decided to go into it blindly, having not even so much as glanced over a synopsis. And thank God I did this.
This play is suitable for all ages, due to its perfect combination of mystery and humour. I was seated by both old and young alike. It is a real immersive ‘Cluedo’ board – can you map out where each character has come from and whether their stories align with reality?
It is also fiercely addictive. The interruption of the play with an interval created a real cliff-hanger moment, and I was dying for Act II to hurry up and begin – I simply had to know more. As an individual audience member, you become a detective alongside the play’s Detective Sgt. Trotter, but the sheer detail in the story means that one guess is as good as another.
The combination of the colourful, eccentric personalities of the characters and their witty one-liners made for a hilarious and oh-so quintessentially British show. It was delightfully old-school, witty and suspenseful all in one (think An Inspector Calls complete with comedy), allowing the audience to laugh along as we each established our own theories on who the murderer prowling around Monkswell Manor is.
This play is celebrating 70 years for a reason. An absolutely essential watch for lovers of storytelling, mystery, and humour.
Notes
Target Audience: 10+
Content: Talk of murder and abuse
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 9.5/10 – Classic
