“The Mousetrap” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” is the world’s longest running play. It has run continuously since 1957 when the toast of London Noel Coward fired off a telegram to Dame Agatha to congratulate her on the play being the longest running play in West London. It opened in 1952 and hasn’t stopped since and the current production at 2^nd Story makes it easy to see why. It is a fun filled romp loaded with twist and turns and dark bits of humor throughout, brought vividly to life by a wining cast, impeccable directing and a gorgeous set.

The tale is set on a stormy evening in a remote, snowbound guesthouse. Eight strangers—or are they—are stranded and one of them may be a murderer. There has been a murder in London and the police believe the murder is next on their way to Monkswell Manor to claim a second and possible a third victim. Who is the killer? The spinster from a foreign land? The foppish architect? The strange foreigner who appears out of nowhere unannounced?  The cranky old woman displeased with everything? The retired British major?

Erin Elliott is Mollie Ralston, the young woman who owns Monkswell with her husband. She is green to the host business and very kind and caring. Ms. Elliot is wondrous as Mollie, a perfect balance of naiveté and determination to make it all work out.

Dillion Medina is her husband, Giles, who has a temper and truly loves his wife. Mr. Medina is a winning blend of charming attentiveness for his wife and distrust towards the others which only grows as the play progresses.

Ben Church is a delight as the foppish architect, Christopher Wren, whose dark sense of humor and at times irritating manner infuriate the others. Mr. Church is admirable as Wren with just the right manners and mannerisms to be totally convincing.

Paula Faber is Mrs. Boyle, a cranky always discontented woman who never has a good word to say about anything or anyone at the manor. She is haughty and condescending, very uppity. Ms. Fisher handles it with panache. She is wonderfully irritating and annoying.

F. William Oakes is the retired Major Metcalf who arrives with her. He seems the typical upper crust British military man, full of manners and methods. Mr. Oakes is outstanding in the role, poised and precise, the epitome of British military manners.

Erin Olson is the spinsterish Miss Casewell, a bit distant and secretive, dressed like a man with male mannerisms and attitude. Ms. Olson is impeccable as the distant, distrustful woman who seems to have secrets to hide.

Vince Petronio is Mr. Paravacini, a foreigner with a dark sense of humor who shows up because his car plunged into a snow bank and he is forced to seek shelter at the manor. He has an air of mystery which he only compounds with his evasions of questions directed at him. Mr. Petronio is the right blend of charming and sleazy in the role.

Ara Boghigian is Det. Sgt. Trotter, who shows up to investigate after the police believe that yet at least one more murder will occur at the manor, somehow tied into the one in London. Mr. Boghigian is excellent in the role, the model of British police efficiency and determination.

            Co directed by Pat Hegnauer and Ed Shea it glides along effortlessly through its contorted plot twists propelled by dark humor and some nice touches along the way.

The set design by Trevor Elliot is impeccable, a lavish highly convincing evocation of an English Manor house with large banisters, bookcases, fireplace and a large window through which snow can be seen falling.

Ron Cessario’s costumes are impeccable and detailed, a sheer delight.

This production is pure delight from beginning to end. The talented cast is vivid and vibrant full of dark humor and energy, a wonder to watch. This is pure summer fun that makes it all a merry ride into murder and dark humor with style and flair. It is a treat from beginning to end. This cast is sheer fun together.

I saw “The Mousetrap” when I was in London in the 1980’s at the famed Covent Garden Theater where it is doing its run and this production is just as much fun with just as much finesse as that one.

“The Mousetrap”

It will be presented at Second Story Theatre, 28 Market Street, Warren, RI in repertory with Jack Sharkey’s murder spoof, “The Murder Room,” until September 1. Tickets are$25 and under 21 for $20. 401-247-4200 or http://www.2ndstorytheatre.com/tixfaq.htm