The Mousetrap

The cast of this legendary show ask at the end that we do not spoil it for future audiences. Personally I hate reviews that tell readers the plot for any show. The Mousetrap is a clever period piece from the pen of the great Agatha Christie. She was mistress of the whodunnit and this is one of her best, filled with twists and turns. I’ve seen it before but in one sense this makes the play more interesting. Rather than pondering the plot it gave me chance to concentrate of Christie’s witty dialogue – and very dry that wit is too, certainly coming a very close second to Coward who always seems to win the prize for drama of this era. Of course to work it needs to be treated with a certain reverence. Too often Christie is “camped” up. I prefer it delivered in the clipped tones of the period – and hats off to this company for doing just that and letting the humour of her script shine through. With a good traditional set, slightly less convincing costumes and the need for a wig or two, this is a great way to enjoy the best crime writer of her generation, perhaps of all time.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 25 January 2016
Rating:
Andrew Kay