A Thriller Chiller

The Mousetrap

The model for every theatrical thriller ever written, “The Mousetrap,” Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery, is still playing 71 years later in London. The play has the distinction of being the longest-running of the modern era. With well over 29,000 performances to its credit, Ms. Christie’s crime drama is an especial favorite with regional and educational theatres. The Guinness Book of World Records calls Dame Agatha Christie the best-selling crime novelist of all time, but in 1930 she began a second career as a successful playwright. From over 20 scripts, which include “Ten Little Indians” (or its original title “And Then There Were None”), and “Witness for the Prosecution,” it’s “The Mousetrap” that still remains Christie’s most popular theatrical work.

The Queen of Crime devised a number of clever plot devices in her works that have since become almost cliche. She had a fondness for naming her plays and novels after innocent children’s nursery rhymes (“The Mousetrap” was originally entitled “Three Blind Mice”). The stories usually unfold with a murder being committed, the characters being held captive in “locked room” situation, several suspects possessing hidden information being assembled, and a detective gradually discovering and revealing these confidences during the course of the evening. There are many surprising twists and turns, secrets are uncovered and, most often, the unlikeliest character turns out to be the culprit. Such is the case in this play.

In Citadel Theatre’s production, Scott Westerman returns to the helm from having directed their production of “The Christians.” He’s guided a fresh, snappy version of this 1952 melodrama that feels like a brand new play. In his production, the stage set and the high tech support are the real stars. Working with talented scenic designer, Catalina Nino, her detailed, authentic-looking English guesthouse is beautiful. It’s dominated by a paned window that looks out onto a freezing blizzard. Nino’s design for Monkswell Manor is a mansion that provides doorways and hidden staircases that lead to an assortment of other unseen rooms. 

Then there’s the state-of-the-art technology that brings this production into the 21st century. A brilliant cinematographer and Jeff-nominated artist, Ian Merritt has created and projected many realistic video special effects, such as flames burning in the fireplace, steam rising from the radiator, a mirror that reflects those gazing into it, blood spattered on the window and snow continually falling in the forest outside the window. There’s even a couple moments when the audience can see actors walking outside in the blizzard. All of this technical magic is displayed on 60 LED screens provided by Pangaea. 

Delightful details, like a piano playing offstage, a clanking heating system and a radio that plays news bulletins and period music add so much realism to this production. Credit sound designer Petter Wahlback with the auditory artistry. Brian Elston has designed a lighting plot that adds to the air of tension to this mystery story. However, Danielle Reinhardt’s costumes, while attractive, don’t look right for the time period. It seems like a few of the characters aren’t really dressed appropriately for the winter weather and the iconic English woolens and tweeds we expect in such a story are mostly missing.

Citadel’s cast has mined every tick and subtlety from their characters. As Mollie and Giles Ralston, the newlywed couple trying to turn an old, inherited home into a guesthouse, Mary Margaret McCormack and Jack Sharkey are strong. They convince as a young couple still in love but always discovering new things about each other. Jesus Barajas plays the bizarrely hyper Christopher Wren as a boy reluctant to grow up. Reginald Hemphill provides some of the play’s comedy as Mr. Paravicini, a mysterious, unexpected guest of questionable age and nationality. William Ryder is a soft-spoken, yet dignified and unruffled Major Metcalf. Last seen at Citadel in “The Birds,” Kristie Berger strongly portrays crusty, ill-tempered Mrs. Boyle. Amy Stricker, remembered for her fine performance in Citadel’s quirky “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” is a force to be reckoned with. She’s forceful while offering a mysterious, vulnerable quality to her portrayal Miss Casewell. And Sean Erik Wesslund is brilliant as Detective Sergeant Trotter, the officer sent on skis to brave the elements and search for a possible murderer at Monkswell Manor.

All the actors take their roles seriously, but under Scott Westerman’s direction, they seem to be stressing the melodramatics of the play. Mystery stories certainly fall under that category, but this particular production often goes over the top. Amy Stricker stands out for her excellent depiction of Miss Casewell. The reason is that she’s grounded in the play’s reality. She never once gives in to histrionics or overacts. William Ryder also offers a far more sensible and down-to-earth character in his portrayal of Major Metcalf. His quieter characterization is, frankly, refreshing. That can’t be said of most of the other actors. In this intimate theater, shouting and yelling is unnecessary. It hurts the audience’s ears and makes the theatergoers shut down. Mollie’s bloodcurdling scream not withstanding, the whole production could be reigned in and be much more effective. There’s far too much overacting, when a quiet intensity and a British stiff upper lip would go a long way. 

This production is strong, entertaining and a little cheeky. The superb design and sound building construction, along with some eye-popping contemporary technical support, makes this classic mystery as exciting as when it first hit the boards in London. Agatha Christie’s play is based on a real-life 1945 case about two children abused and killed while in foster care. It’s set in a creaky old mansion that has turned into a rural English retreat. The play offers a perfect evening’s entertainment. It’s filled with mysterious characters, plenty of tension, unexpected humor and loaded with unexpected plot twists. “The Mousetrap” is the perfect thriller for theatergoers who like their mysteries chill.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 15-October 15 by Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-735-8554, x1, or by going to www.citadeltheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.