Theater Review - The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap

Written by Agatha Christie

Directed by Steve Tague

Where: Thompson Theatre at the Roselle Center for the Arts

(University of Delaware, Newark, DE)

When:  Saturday, February 1, 7:30pm

Photos by Paul Cerro

I've felt no need to rush this review because if you haven't already snagged tickets to the University of Delaware's Resident Ensemble Players' staging of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, you're out of luck because the production is sold out.  Opened in 1952 in London, The Mousetrap is the longest-running play of all time and it's easy to see why -- there's a genericness to it that allows it to appeal to every member of the audience.  That may sound like damning praise and while there's admittedly a hint of snark there, I still found myself having a fun time trying to guess whodunit in this clever murder mystery.  The Mousetrap doesn't try to be deep (which is sort of what I meant when I used the descriptor "generic"), but it doesn't need to be.  During intermission the crowd was certainly abuzz as they placed their bets on who was the murderous culprit, and after the play's conclusion, the lobby was loudly filled with voices trying to either pay up or collect on their hunches.

As is typically the case with every REP production, we're treated to high quality theatricality.  The scenic design by C. David Russell comes complete with falling snow outside a towering set of windows at the English country retreat known as Monkswell Manor and the costumes (also by Russell) are certainly befitting of the period without ever being too showy.  Lighting design by Matt Richards also deserves credit as it really helps to signify the passing hours of the day in great fashion (as well as providing an intensely ominous moment when the dastardly murder is committed).  REP member Steve Tague's direction keeps the play moving at a brisk pace and also very slyly gives moments to each member of the cast that make us question their innocence in this game of cat and mouse.

Speaking of the cast, I think this showed the group in their best light yet this season.  Together, they have a way of elevating something as silly and almost "throwaway-ish."  (Yes, I realize I may seem like I'm belittling Christie's work again, but I only use that term as a reference to the fact that we're not seeing something that highfalutin critics would deem "high art" like Shakespeare or Tennessee Williams or Arthur Miller.  Anyway, back to the actors...)  The ever reliable Kathleen Pirkl Tague commands the stage as the haughty and stuck-up Mrs. Boyle who manages to get on every guest's nerves at one point or another.  Getting to show off her comedic chops, Tague is wonderful as always.  Elizabeth Heflin and Mic Matarrese are also quite good as Monkswell Manor owners Mollie and Giles, a newly married couple embarking on their first weekend with guests staying in their home.  Heflin, in particular, excels at providing some great comedic moments with the simple twist of head, wink of an eye, or muffled sarcastic put-down.  Kudos also to Deena Burke as the masculine Miss Casewell, Michael Gotch as the intelligent Detective Trotter, and guest artist Jeffrey C. Hawkins as the Andy Warhol-esque Christopher Wren.  Every character has their secrets and the entire cast is quite adept at peeling the layers back ever so slowly to reveal what they're hiding.

I've always wanted to see The Mousetrap and I'm glad I've finally gotten a chance.  Is it high art?  No.  Characters are a bit stereotypical and Christie's plot could've easily found its home in an episode of Murder, She Wrote or Matlock (two shows I much enjoyed in my mystery-loving youth, by the way).  But it's lasted as long as it has because Christie creates an atmosphere that has the audience constantly second guessing themselves and it certainly provides a fun night at the theater...and there's nothing wrong with that.