"The Mousetrap" at the Guthrie Theater

The world's longest running play has arrived at the Guthrie! Agatha Christie's murder mystery The Mousetrap opened in London's West End in 1952 and has run continuously ever since (give or take a global pandemic). I first saw the play three years ago at Lyric Arts, so it wasn't too far into the Guthrie's delicious new production that I remembered whodunit, but that did not diminish my enjoyment of watching the mystery play out. If you've never seen the play before you are in for a treat, as Christie's well-plotted mystery has a plethora of quirky characters who all have a secret and could be the murderer. But even if you know whodunit, it's a pleasure to watch this dreamy and mostly local cast perform a beloved classic on this gorgeous set. See The Mousetrap on the Guthrie's proscenium stage now through May 13.

Giles (Peter Christian Hansen) forgot the S in Monkswell, but
Mollie (Monette Magrath) loves him anyway (photo by Dan Norman)

The play takes place at Monkswell Manor, run by newly married couple Mollie and Giles Ralston, on its opening weekend. The four scheduled guests begin to arrive as the snowfall increases, and the news reports a recent murder, with the murderer on the loose. There's the enthusiastic Christopher, the hyper-critical Mrs. Boyle, the genial Major Metcalf, and the confident Miss Casewell. The Ralstons get everyone settled into their rooms and prepare for being "snowed up," when an unexpected guest arrives - the eccentric Italian Mr. Paravicini. The mousetrap is about to be set (references to the nursery rhyme "Three Blind Mice" and the now haunting song explain the title).*

Things start to get interesting the next day when the police call and say they're sending out a Sergeant Trotter for some unexplained reason. He soon shows up - on skis since the roads are impassable - and begins questioning everyone about their possible connection to the murdered woman, who is a recently released prisoner convicted of negligence and abuse that resulted in the death of her foster child. Everyone is acting suspiciously and seems to be hiding something, and there are so many clues and red herrings strewn about, that at one point or another nearly every character is a suspect. Without giving away any spoilers, let's just say that someone amongst this motley crew is murdered, and someone is revealed as the murderer.*

Monkswell Manor (photo by Dan Norman)

The Guthrie's Senior Artistic Producer Tracy Brigden returns to directing after helming another classic murder mystery, last year's Dial M for Murder. She once again achieves a great feeling of suspense throughout the show, moments of ominous foreboding mixed with some humor. All elements of design combine to help create the tension - lighting that goes from pitch black to subtle glow to gorgeously bright chandeliers, sound effects that includes the soft crackling of the fire and creepy versions of "Three Blind Mice," and a stunning set. Monkswell Manor is equal parts elegant and grand (super tall walls that disappear into the high ceiling surrounded by wooden beams, beautiful paintings and light fixtures, period furniture) and slightly spooky (animal heads hung on the walls, a slightly worn feeling, dim dark corners), with no less than five exits leading upstairs and to various rooms in the house. (Lighting design by Rui Rita, sound design and composition by John Gromada, scenic design by Walt Spangler.)

Everyone in the eight-person cast is so great, speaking in a charming array of accents (thanks to vocal coach Keely Wolter) and dressed in character-specific period clothing, complete with outerwear (costume design by Susan Tsu). Minnesotan Monette Magrath has worked in theaters around the country, but moved home during the pandemic (with her husband David Andrew Macdonald) and is making her Guthrie debut in this show. She is an absolute delight as Mollie, pleasantly and capably running the guest house, standing up for her friends and to her husband, and slowly revealing layers of a dark past. She's well-matched in Guthrie regular Peter Christian Hansen as her charming (and a bit mysterious) husband. Making his #TCTheater debut is Greg Cuellar as Christopher, a really fun and specific performance that's endlessly entertaining. Mo Perry is hilariously grumpy as Mrs. Boyle; #TCTheater fave Pearce Bunting is inconceivably appearing at the Guthrie for the first time as the Major; Emjoy Gavino (seen in Vietgone and several productions of A Christmas Carol) is a strong Miss Casewell in fashionable pants; and Scrooge himself Matthew Saldivar steals scenes as the mystery man Paravicini. Last but not least, Matthew Amendt, a graduate of the U of M/Guthrie BFA program's inaugural class who made a splendid return in Born with Teeth two years ago, is fascinating to watch as Sergeant Trotter, just so great as this ever more desperate detective trying to solve the mystery.

The Mousetrap is the kind of play you go to for good old-fashioned entertainment. To forget about the troubles of the day and immerse yourself in a very specific world full of oddball characters and suspense and yes, murder. But the fun fictional kind of murder, with an endless array of suspects that'll keep you guessing until the surprising and delightful reveal.

*Plot summary borrowed from my review of Lyric Arts' 2022 production.