With all the tech whiz bangery in modern theatre productions, it’s a rare delight to take in a traditional play where the story is character-driven, and the dialogue holds all the cards. And it proves to be a delightful departure thanks to the Australian tour production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap.
Celebrating its 70th year this year, the popularity of The Mousetrap and the secrets it holds has endured across generations, and finds new life in Australia under the tight direction of Robyn Nevin.
Set in a charming manor in the countryside, this show sees a group of seven strangers stuck as a snowstorm descends. When a police sergeant arrives on their doorstep, the guests discover that there has been a murder… and the killer is among them.
With the complexity of the world today, stepping back into the 1940s for a night of mystery and intrigue is utterly delightful (despite… you know, all the murder). And it really does feel as if we, the audience, have been transported back to this simpler time, complete with old timey music lilting from the wireless and a traditional red theatre curtain glowing under stage warmers. It’s charming and the audience on opening night was completely on board, laughing and gasping at all the right moments.
With this era of theatre, there’s a level of heightened naturalism required and all the actors hit this mark with aplomb. Each character is given moments to shine in the script and the performers all grasp them and run with them. Everyone was so slick that it’s almost impossible to select a standout; suffice to say Anna O’Byrne, Geraldine Turner, Alex Rathberger, Laurence Boxhall, Tom Conroy, Gerry Connolley, Charlotte Friels and Adam Murphy are a strong ensemble. With performances full of heart and humour, this team each portray their Christie archetypes to perfection.
Nevin’s direction hits all the right beats at exactly the right time, bringing a lot more levity to the script than your typical murder mystery. It really is a dream team. In the era of spoilers, it seems almost impossible that the ending of this play has managed to remain under wraps for the better part of a century. This is perhaps in part due to the charming tradition of the cast imploring audiences to keep the secret in their hearts that follows the curtain call. It leaves you feeling like you’re a part of a secret society, where you can give other patrons a knowing wink as you exit.
See it. And solve it… if you can.
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, 4-20 November, The Playhouse, QPAC.
https://www.qpac.com.au/event/mousetrap22
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
