Agatha Christie’s classic play, which has been running in the West End to great popularity since 1952, arrives at the New Victoria Theatre as part of its ongoing UK tour.
How do you write a review on a show that you can’t reveal very much of without spoiling what happens? Well that is the dilemma that I’m in right now when it comes to my thoughts on The Mousetrap.
The story sees eight characters holed up in a country house, after a snow blizzard hits. But it soon becomes clear that one of them is a murderer…the question is who?
That is literally the only information that I can give anyone reading this without ruining the many twists and turns that take place during the show – right up to the end scene.
Agatha Christie’s play is definitely all about the build up and the simmering tension that begins to emerge as the characters become more nervous and anxious about the situation that they find themselves in.
It is a production that is very much about the psychological characteristics of each of the characters of whom there is plenty of variety and none of whom have anything in common.
Louise Jameson as the snooty and fussy Mrs Boyle is wonderful to watch, with her ability to be waspish but do it in a charming way that makes it easy to dislike the character.
Meanwhile in complete contrast to this, Oliver Gully as the flamboyant yet intensely vulnerable Christopher Wren is wonderfully over the top and is certainly a stand out personality.
Lewis Collier as Sgt Trotter, has plenty of charisma but at the same time delivers a commanding performance that keeps the audience’s attention with ease.
Ian Watt-Smith’s production is completely faithful to the style of Agatha Christie, proving that more of her work would be well suited for the stage being filled with tension and drama that gets the audience thinking and during the interval discussing in a way that great theatre is supposed to.
Meanwhile, Peter Vaughan Clarke’s lighting is atmospheric and plays an important part in the show and increasing the tension and drama in all of the right places.
If you haven’t seen it on tour or in the West End, then it is worth a visit as the outcome is very cleverly staged – and not necessarily what you would expect to happen…
The Mousetrap is on at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until the 16th April, before continuing to tour. To book tickets visit ATG tickets.