“It’s the signature tune—the signature of a murderer. Just fancy what a kick he must be getting out of it!”
It should come as no surprise that Agatha Christie, the queen of mystery, is the playwright behind The Mousetrap. The classic stage drama has been performed in London since 1952 and holds the record for the longest-running play in history! Now, Christie’s show has made its way to the Guthrie Theater, where it will be performed until May 18, and their rendition of the murder mystery is sure to make audiences delightfully tense and confused about the killer’s identity until the show’s final moments.
Immediately upon walking into the theater, the first noteworthy element of the production was its set design. The show takes place at Monkswell Manor, a home in the English countryside. The walls were painted a deep blue, ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the window into the outside world depicted the falling snow. The set’s picture-perfect design first contributes to the feeling of homeliness at the Manor, the inn that married couple Giles and Mollie Ralston have just opened. This homely feeling is quickly interrupted by the arrival of the odd cast of characters, from Christopher Wren, a young architect with a penchant for spying, to Mrs. Boyle, an unpleasant older woman who refuses to stop complaining. The tension between all of the characters is only heightened by the arrival of Detective Sergeant Trotter, who brings news of a murder from London connected to one of the residents of the Manor. This tension builds to intermission when an ear-piercing scream can be heard before the lights come up on the set.
The performances from all eight cast members, all suspicious of the other’s intentions, are convincing. The cast works together well to deceive the audience about the killer’s identity, each coming under scrutiny for different reasons. Despite this, after the curtain rises for Act 2, the action seems to lag as Detective Sergeant Trotter frantically questions all of the house’s residents, only noticeable because the tension deviates from the generally excellent pacing. Standout performances in the show were Monette Magrath and Peter Christian Hansen as the Ralstons—driven to their limits as the clock ticks on with no solution to the murder—and Greg Cuellar as Christopher Wren—an odd man who seems to be chipper and gleeful despite the circumstances.
The Mousetrap is a delightful show, especially for those who love a mystery, but it carries a deeper message than might meet the eye. The mystery in the show revolves around a prior case relating to three children who were abused on a farm and the psychological effects on the children now. As explained in the program notes by The Guthrie, The Mousetrap is a dangerous reminder of what happens when we don’t take care of our children. The show features wonderful actors who make the mystery quite entertaining, but it is still important to consider Agatha Christie’s subliminal messaging about the importance of caring for the youngest in our communities.
